Defending champions, D’Tigers of Nigeria will tip off their 2017 FIBA Afrobaskest campaign today against Cote d’Ivoire in Tunisia.

Led by Head coach Alex Nwora and Assistant Coaches, Adewunmi Aderemi and Abulrahman Mohammed, the team look set to retain the African title despite Ike Diogu being the only surviving member of the 2015 title winning squad.

“We may not have the same crop of players that everyone knew but we are in Tunisia to give our best. Some of the players that were at the FIBA AfroBasket in 2015 have new contracts and some are injured but this competition must go on.” Alex Nwora told FIBA.basketball.

Nwora, who gave four home based players, Azuoma Dike, Abdul Yahaya, Okaro Akamune and Kelechi Anuna the nod in his final 12-man squad list explains further:

“As a professional coach, I am here to do my job of ensuring that Nigeria gives a good account of herself in this championship.”

Team Captain, Diogu Ike and Washington Wizards center Daniel Ochefu headlines the Nigerian team as they square up against Cote d’Ivoire tonight by 20:30 (GMT+1) in Tunis, before playing fellow Group A members Mali, and DR Congo on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The 2017 FIBA Afrobasket Championship tips off from Friday 8 – 16 September in two cities, Tunis, Tunisia and Dakar, Senegal.