TheCable

D’Tigers became the first African team to qualify for the final round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers after their emphatic 109-66 win over Uganda.

The win against Uganda increased the team’s winning streak to four in all FIBA competitions.

With qualification now secured, Alex Nworah, the head coach, said the young debutants in the team will be given more playing time.

“We have secured our win and we are so excited about this,” Nworah said.

“We have a mixture of experienced and young but new players in this team.

“We will give the younger players more time on the court to see what they can do.

“I am really excited about the endless possibilities of the team going by their potentials”.

Qualifiers from Group B will be drawn alongside those from Group D for the two automatic tickets.

Nwora said preparation for the fourth window, which will likely throw up tougher opponents, has already started.

“From our next game, we will start preparing for September,” he added.

“If we are going to face countries like Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Central Africa Republic who are also big names in African basketball, then we need to step up our game.”

The first leg of the second round will take place between September 10 and 18 before the return leg which will hold from November 26 to December 4.

The 2019 FIBA World Cup will take place in China.