President of the Dodan Warriors Programme, Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), has told SuperSport.com that D'Tigers will end up in fifth spot in their Olympic basketball group.
The Nigerian men's basketball team have been drawn to face superpowers, the USA, France, Argentina, Lithuania and African champions, Tunisia.
Ahmedu, who disengaged from the Nigerian Army in 2005, explained to SuperSport.com why he believes that D'Tigers will finish fifth at the London 2012 Olympics.
"Another tough group like it was for D'Tigers at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament just ended in Caracas, Venezuela. But D' Tigers have shown that they are not to be underrated and they can roar when least expected. They made people like myself eat humble pie. We did not give them a chance at the beginning but justifiably so too for reasons too many to enumerate.
"France is beatable and Lithuania we already know but they cannot be written off. Some say their loss to Nigeria was unexpected and despite that loss they still topped Nigeria in the group, but it remains to be seen in London again.
"Argentina have been our masters in the past, but with this group of D'Tigers, if they can maintain good concentration all round unlike when I saw some elementary errors in the game versus Russia when we scored a basket in the fourth quarter and reduced the scores to five points and virtually stood still apparently celebrating which led to a Russian long break and a three-point play by "AK 47" - Andriy Kerelenko, swinging momentum back to the Russians.
"The USA is a dream match-up, we have always dreamt of watching. The Nigerian boys will want to shine because they know the whole world will be watching. Win or lose, they will be seen by scouts, coaches and team owners all over the world which is likely to metamorphose into lucrative/big money contracts for them. After all they have paid their dues.
"Tunisia, cannot stand us, not with this team, but like D'Tigers have shown, you never know. Remember Tunisia qualified directly to London by winning the African Nations Cup which the Nigerian men's team have never won. But against the present crop of D'Tigers, it's a tall order for Tunisia. My order of prediction is: 1. USA, 2. France, 3. Argentina, 4. Lithuania, 5. Nigeria, 6. Tunisia," he said.
The Fiba certified match commissioner also took time out to talk on D'Tigers qualification to their first Olympic Games.
He also advised the national selectors to include home grown players from the DStv Premier Basketball League in the Olympic team.
Ahmedu also talked about the team's head coach, Ayo Bakare.
"The Tigers qualifying for the Olympics is great and Nigerians the world over are really very glad. It's been long in coming and it is good to see the men's team qualify for the Olympics in the footsteps of the women's team which qualified for the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
"The next goal is to take it to the next level by injecting some home grown players in the team. The Nigerian DStv Premier League is good and tough and should not be underrated.
"It is not also a surprise that for his good works with the Nigerian team and qualifying our men for their first Olympics, coach Ayo Bakare's team - Comets - did not qualify for the Final 8 playoffs of the DStv Premier Basketball League this season which indicates that it is also tough in the Nigerian league.
"All the same, for now, let's enjoy this quantum achievement as we look forward to beating more top teams in the Olympics in London," the Dodan Warriors' chief said.
D'Tigers will tip off their Olympic campaign at London 2012 against Tunisia on July 29.
Nigeria will face Lithuania on July 31 and on August 2, they will come up head-to-head with Olympic favourites, the USA.
On August 4, D'Tigers will battle it out with Argentina before rounding off their group games against France two days later.
Source: SuperSport News
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