AfroBasket 2021 qualifiers: D’Tigers coach Brown arrives in Kigali, players expected on Monday

D’Tigers head coach Mike Brown has arrived in Kigali, Rwanda ahead of the AfroBasket 2021 qualifiers in the East African country. The continental men’s basketball competition is scheduled for 27 November to 29 November.

American coach Brown arrived in Kigali on Saturday night along with one of his assistants Kuester John, a former Detroit Pistons coach. 

As a player John spent three seasons in the NBA from 1977 to 1980 and then coached colleges before moving on to the NBA as an assistant.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation vice-president, Babs Ogunade, who is the leader of the Nigerian delegation, left Lagos for Kigali on Friday ahead of the team.

Former national team point guard Musa Adamu who serves as the General Manager of the Nigeria team confirmed the arrival of the coaches and stated that the players are expected in Kigali from Monday.      

Ogunade said all the players would assemble in Kigali directly from their bases.

“Mike Brown and one of his assistant are here and the players will be coming in on schedule to prepare,” Ogunade to NBBF media.

Nigerians Sam Ahmedu and referee Kingsley Ojeaburu are to serve as officials at the competition, and both men arrived in Kigali on Sunday. They are among the three Nigerians appointed by the world basketball ruling body FIBA for the November window.

According to a circular made from FIBA, Ahmedu will serve as FIBA Technical Delegate while Kingsley Ojeaburu and Opeyemi Ogunleye will serve as referees.

Ahmedu, who is also FIBA Africa Zone Three President, is to serve alongside Ferrets Jose of Mozambique and Charles Sanders of South Africa.

Referee Ogunleye will head to Alexandria, Egypt, while Ojeaburu will be on duty in Kigali. He will be working with 14 other referees.

This second Window will see 12 teams from Groups A, B and D in action at the Kigali Arena.

 D’Tigers will compete in Group D against host Rwanda, Mali and South Sudan, which has taken the place of Algeria who withdrew due to COVID-19 concerns.