27 August 2013
NIGERIA : 2013 Afrobasket - Bakare Charges d'Tigers Not to Underrate CAR
As the Nigeria's D'Tigers prepare to battle Central Africa Republic (CAR) in the second round match of the ongoing 2013 Afrobasket Championship in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire today, Coach of the Nigerian team, Ayo Bakare has told the players not to underrate their opponents.
Bakare, who gave the charge while addressing the D'Tigers players, congratulated the players for picking the second round ticket on a clean slate.
He said the players have made a statement to other teams in the competition by beating a highly rated Cameroonian team, adding that "you played yourself into the easier part to the semi-final as you will now avoid Angola and Cote d'Ivoire."
"I am personally proud of you for putting up a star performance and winning a day off for yourselves. You can savour this moment for now but ensure that you raise your game because any team that loses now goes home," he told them at the locker room.
Meanwhile Sports Minister and Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Tijani Umar have both congratulated the players for the victory.
"The minister called to congratulate the players yesterday after the victory and promised to be in Abidjan to boost their morale as they progress in the competition. I am equally happy that despite the injury worries, the players are doing well. They have shown commitment and determination to succeed and I hope they will continue in that spirit," Umar said on telephone yesterday.
Meanwhile, Team Doctor, Suleiman Ohida and Physiotherapist, Ekundayo Ogunkunle, yesterday worked on the players who confessed that the Cameroon match-up stretched them to the limit as they gave Al-Farouk Aminu thumbs up for his sterling performance in the crucial game.
In the other pairings today, Tunisia will face Egypt, Cape Verde will battle Congo while Algeria confront Rwanda. The D'Tigers match against the Central Africa will come up at 5:30 this evening.
Bakare, who gave the charge while addressing the D'Tigers players, congratulated the players for picking the second round ticket on a clean slate.
He said the players have made a statement to other teams in the competition by beating a highly rated Cameroonian team, adding that "you played yourself into the easier part to the semi-final as you will now avoid Angola and Cote d'Ivoire."
"I am personally proud of you for putting up a star performance and winning a day off for yourselves. You can savour this moment for now but ensure that you raise your game because any team that loses now goes home," he told them at the locker room.
Meanwhile Sports Minister and Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Tijani Umar have both congratulated the players for the victory.
"The minister called to congratulate the players yesterday after the victory and promised to be in Abidjan to boost their morale as they progress in the competition. I am equally happy that despite the injury worries, the players are doing well. They have shown commitment and determination to succeed and I hope they will continue in that spirit," Umar said on telephone yesterday.
Meanwhile, Team Doctor, Suleiman Ohida and Physiotherapist, Ekundayo Ogunkunle, yesterday worked on the players who confessed that the Cameroon match-up stretched them to the limit as they gave Al-Farouk Aminu thumbs up for his sterling performance in the crucial game.
In the other pairings today, Tunisia will face Egypt, Cape Verde will battle Congo while Algeria confront Rwanda. The D'Tigers match against the Central Africa will come up at 5:30 this evening.
# posted by afrbk : 19:11
