D’Tigers Need Early AfroBasket Preparation – Gombe Bulls Coach

The head coach of Gombe Bulls, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has emphasized the need for Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, to begin early preparations ahead of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament. He stressed that starting preparations well in advance would be crucial to ensuring a strong performance in the continental competition.

Call for Better Planning and Organization

Coach Mohammed pointed out that Nigeria has often suffered from last-minute preparations, which have negatively affected the team’s chemistry and overall performance in major tournaments. He urged the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and other stakeholders to ensure that adequate planning is in place to avoid the challenges faced in previous competitions.

D’Tigers, despite their talent and potential, have struggled with administrative and logistical issues that have sometimes hindered their progress. The Gombe Bulls coach noted that assembling the team early would give the players enough time to train together, build cohesion, and adapt to the coaching philosophy ahead of the AfroBasket qualifiers and the main event.

Leveraging Local and Foreign-Based Talent

Nigeria has a mix of homegrown players and foreign-based professionals playing in top leagues around the world. Coach Mohammed emphasized the importance of finding the right balance between these two groups to ensure a competitive squad. He suggested that early preparation would allow local players to integrate better with their foreign-based counterparts, improving teamwork and understanding on the court.

D’Tigers have traditionally relied on NBA and European-based stars to boost their squad, but Mohammed believes that local players should also be given opportunities to prove themselves. He urged the NBBF to organize training camps that would include home-based talents, ensuring that the team has a deep and well-prepared roster.

Avoiding Previous Mistakes

Nigeria’s national basketball teams have faced several challenges in recent years, including funding issues, internal disputes, and inconsistent preparations. These setbacks have sometimes led to disappointing results in international competitions.

Coach Mohammed warned that if the same mistakes were repeated, D’Tigers might struggle to make an impact in the 2025 AfroBasket tournament. He called on the NBBF to take proactive steps, including securing sponsorships, organizing friendly games, and ensuring proper player welfare to motivate the team.

Building a Strong Contender for AfroBasket 2025

With teams like Tunisia, Senegal, and Angola also vying for the AfroBasket title, Nigeria must prepare thoroughly to compete at the highest level. Mohammed stressed that D’Tigers have the talent and potential to be one of Africa’s best teams, but proper preparation will be the key to success.

He urged the NBBF to start working on a detailed roadmap for the team’s preparation, including training schedules, scouting for new talents, and arranging competitive friendly matches against top African and European teams.

With early and well-structured preparation, D’Tigers could position themselves as strong contenders for the 2025 AfroBasket championship, potentially reclaiming their spot as Africa’s basketball powerhouse.