ABUJA (Afrobasket 2011) - The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has named Sani Ahmed as the coach of the national team, the Tigers.
Sani, who is also the coach of current Nigerian DStv Premier League champions Kano Pillars, is to prepare the national side for the African Nations Cup qualifiers for FIBA Africa Zone 3 that will take place in Lome, Togo from 10th to 15th August. Adeka Daudu is to assist him.
"After due consultations and deliberations by the board, we have selected Sani Ahmed to lead the men's team," said NBBF president Tijjani Umar.
"He will be assisted by Adeka Odaudu and their primary task is to prepare a good team that will qualify for the next African Nations Cup in Ivory Coast."
In Togo, the competition will serve as the qualifiers for both the 2011 Afrobasket and the next All Africa Games. Nigeria will contest only for a place in the Nations Cup having already qualified for the All Africa Games while Ivory Coast will compete only for a place in the latter as the country is the host for the 2011 African Cup.
The Nigerian national team will hold a training camp in Kaduna (north central region of the country) from 29th July until 7th August before making their way to Lome.
Sani was an assistant coach on Libya's national team at last year's Afrobasket, where Nigeria finished fifth.
Pius Ayinor
FIBA Africa