Basketball Preview: Nigeria Takes Centre Stage In Representing Africa

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to the world’s biggest and most diverse celebration of sport, the Summer Olympic Games, which will run from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

SuperSport is the ultimate destination for coverage of the Olympic Games, with thousands of world-class athletes from around the world set to entertain for over two weeks of the incredible action from the Games of the XXXII Olympiad.

With Tokyo 2020 now fully underway, we take a look at both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball events, both of which feature Nigeria as African representatives. The Basketball tournaments will run from Saturday 24 July to Sunday 8 August, with all games held at the Saitama Super Arena in greater Tokyo.

The Men’s tournament is already well underway, with Nigeria opening their Group B campaign on a losing note as they went down 84-56 to Australia on Sunday. D’Tigers will next face up to Germany on the morning of Wednesday 28 July and then complete the group stage by taking on Italy on Saturday 31 July, with a place in the knockout round the key objective for coach Mike Brown and his charges.

“I just know that there’s a ton of potential there, a ton of potential,” said Brown. “And to help to try to get organized and get it prepared to perform at the highest level is something that really drives me in trying to make this experience fantastic for all the players that are coming to be a part of it. That’s what this thing is all about.”

On the Women’s side, Nigeria’s team will open their account with a huge clash against the United States on the morning of Tuesday 27 July, before further Group B clashes against France and Japan on Friday 30 July and Monday 2 August respectively.

“This Nigerian team is completely different from the 2004 team,” center Victoria Macaulay explained, referencing D’Tigress’ last appearance at the Games 17 years ago.

“With what I have seen of this team, I believe we are a much stronger team and in the areas that we lacked before, we have adjusted and grown as far as being an offensive threat in the post and guard positions. We are even stronger on the defensive end of the court and that will help us move past the first group stage of the Olympics this time around.”

She added, “I believe Nigeria is strong enough to play and compete against whoever we come against. In my experience, I believe Nigeria has a chance of beating anybody when we are focused and put our mind on it.