D'Tigress Invite 25 Players For Olympics Qualifiers In France

Ahead of the Rio Olympics Qualifiers in Nantes, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has invited 25 players to its Abuja camp which will be opened on May 15- the qualifiers will dunk off in France from June 3 to 19

The list is dominated by players from the last the African Women Championship in Cameroon and a

few debutants from the domestic league.

The Nigerian ladies will campaign in Group C alongside Belarus and South Korea.

Apart from Senegal that qualified as African champions, Nigeria and Cameroon are other African countries vying for spots in the summer games, after placing second and third at the 2015 Afrobasket championship.

D’Tigresses are striving to return to the Olympics after their first outing at the Athens 2004 Games.

The players from the Zenith League are Okpe Patience (Dolphins), Chioma Udeaja (First Bank), Nkechi Akashile (First Bank), Upe Atosu (First Bank), Akaraiwe Nkem (First Bank) and Chinyere Juliet (First Bank).

There are also Idoko Patience (Benue Queens), Isaac Christiana (IGP Queens), Okeke Ebere (Customs) and Umeh Gloria (Plateau Rocks).

Nigeria qualified for the OQT after placing third at the continental championship, Afrobasket for Women in Cameroon last year.

In Lagos eight teams are expected in Lagos today (Thursday) for the finals of the Zenith League which begins Friday at the Sports Hall of the National Stadium. The matches will begin on Saturday.

Defending champions, Dolphins and First Bank will be joined by Customs, Delta Force, AHIP Queens of Kano, IGP Queens, Benue Princess and Plateau Rocks.

The All-Stars Match is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11 while the final match will hold on Thursday, May 12.

The Full list:

Ogunjimi Helen, Ogoke Sarah, Elonu Adaora, Madu Ndidi, Imovbioh Sarah, Edeferioka Edema, Ibiam Elem, Ugoka Uju, Ekworomadu Joyce, Kalu Ezinne, Amukamara Promise, Ibekwe Ifunanya, Nwaigwe Ugochi, Sanni Olayinka, Atonye Nyingifa, Atosu Upe, Udeaja Chioma, Akashili Nkechi, Idoko Patience, Okpe Patience, Chinyere Juliet, Akaraiwe Nkem, Isaac Christiana, Okeke Ebere, Umeh Gloria.

Source: Punch