Nigerians In Sports: “We Are Not Done Yet”- D’Tigers’ Al Farouq

Despite being the first team in the world to qualify for next year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup in China, D’Tigers, are clearly not done yet, in their quest to claim total African dominance. Nigeria have been unbeaten in the qualifiers — with a record of 9 wins and zero losses— to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in thirteen (13) years. The Nigerian team, however, have three more inconsequential games to play — in the sixth window of the qualifying rounds— before they close the books on their qualifying campaign. The team will take on Ivory Coast, Central African Republic and Senegal, in February 2019.

D’Tigers star, Al Farouq Aminu, who spoke with FIBA, said the team is geared up to finish the qualifiers on an unbeaten streak, as this would help get them in good shape and in high spirits for the 2019 World Cup.

“It’s not because we already have our spot for China 2019 that we have to give up competing for the rest of the qualifiers. We’re going to keep working and try to reach our full potential in order to have a great run in China next year but to also keep building for the future of the national team. “Those games are very important. Why not trying to win the last three left? It’s important to stay in the same dynamic.” — Aminu

The Portland Trailblazers player, enthused that, the team is eager to prove themselves against the best teams in the world on the FIBA global stage. He, also acknowledged the unflinching support of Nigerians to the team so far in the qualifiers, while also, soliciting their support as the worlds draw near.