In what has become a series of drama in the Basketball Federation, the Tijani Umar led faction of the NBBF have called 22 players to camp. This is in preparation for the 2017 FIBA Women Afrobasket Championship set to hold in Bamako, Mali from August 18th – 27th 2017.

Captain, Helen Ogunjimi, 33 , alongside Sarah Ogoke, Elonu Adaora, Ndidi Madu, Sarah Imovbioh, Ibiam Elem, Uju Ugoka, Joyce Ekworomadu, Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Ugochi Nwaigwe and Olayinka Sanni make up the foreign based invitees.
While 10 players from the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball league also made the cut;
Ifunanya Ibekwe
Evelyn Akhator
Atosu Upe
Chioma Udeaja
Nkechi Akashili;
Nkem Akaraiwe
Gloria Umeh
Ebere Okeke
Elawere Odion Tina
Christiana Isaac.

The camp opens on the 23rd of July in a yet to be deterermined venue abroad, under the supervision of National team coach Scott Nnaji, to be assisted by Adewunmi Aderemi and Mauro Procaccini. Home based players are expected to join the camp on the 29th of July after the Final 8-team playoff of the womens basketball league.
It’s not clear if the Musa Ahmadu Kida faction will also release its own team going into the final days available to prepare in time for the championship. Just over the weekend, two different Nigerian teams were present at the FIBA Africa 3×3 qualifiers, but were both disqualified to compete.