TheCable

The Nigerian men and women’s national teams arrived in Lomé, Togo on Thursday for the 2018 FIBA 3×3 Africa Cup.

The men’s team captained by Azouma Dike is made up of Abdul Yahaya, Lucky Subel and Godwin David, all plying their trade with Kano Pillars.

Still buzzing from their fairytale run at the FIBA Women’s World Cup, D’Tigress’ 3×3 team will hope to tap into the superlative form of Nkechi Akaraiwe who scored 32 points, two assists and five rebounds to hand First Bank Women’s Basketball club the 2018 Zenith Bank Basketball Women League.

Nkem Uwa Akaraiwe, 2018 Zenith Bank Basketball women’s league MVP, and Grace Okonkwo were also listed.

Following her sterling role in the colours of Dolphins, Ijeh Fumnaya Linda, MVP of 2018 3×3 u-18 African Youth Games, was included in the team coached by Acha Chris.

The men will hope to defend their title which they won in 2017 while the women who lost out narrowly to Mali in 2017 final will hope to go a step further and win the trophy.

Points will be gathered from the competition as part of a prerequisite to qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympics where 3×3 style of basketball will make a historic debut.

The delegation was led to Togo by Frank Jituboh, director of 3×3, Nigeria.