Nigeria’s D’Tiger
By Duro Ikhazuagbe
D'Tigers are on the threshold of history at the on-going London Olympics.
Just a win Tuesday against Lithuania, will shoot the Nigerian senior basketball team into the quarter final of the competition nobody gave them the slimmest chance of qualifying to play in.
But like it happened at the qualifying championships in Venezuela when Nigeria defeated Lithuania to restore hope of making it to London, anything is possible here this afternoon.
Last Sunday morning, D'Tigers showed that they were not in London on sight seeing mission as they ran over African champions, Tunisia 60-56 to grab the first full points of the Group A pairing.
That victory, however, did not come on a platter of gold as they were made to sweat for it. Now, D'Tigers can no longer pretend to be under dogs anymore as every one in the group now know that the team paraded by Team Nigeria is no push-over.
Everyone is now wary of Coach, Ayo Bakare, and his band of glory seeking lads, who are all hungry to make names for selves and country.
The task ahead may appear tough but it is not mission impossible. After all, D' Tigers are no strangers to the Lithuania.
However, President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Alhaji Tijani Umar is not carried away by plaudits that have come the way of the Tigers after their opening game feat against Tunisia.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's game at the Games Village Monday, he warned that D' Tiger are going to take each game as it come.
“I’m happy with the kind raves that have come the way of the Nigerians but we must play one game at a time. What is certain is that we will play well but, there is no predictions and no assumptions,” Umar, who led the Tigers to achieve the monumental result of playing in their first Olympics said.
Even Captain of the team, Olumide Oyedeji, was cautious in predicting what to expect at Tuesday's outing.
"We are going out there to do our best and remain focused irrespective of our previous result."
Former San Antonio Spur player, Ike Diogu, insisted that D'Tigers are not under any pressure going into Tuesday's game with the Lithuanians.
"We have played big games like this before. We eat and sleep same way without being under any kind of pressure."
Interestingly, Lithuania, who suffered a set-back in their opener against Argentina (102-79) also know the implication of another defeat at this level.