D’Tigers legend Diogu focuses on Olympics, AfroBasket success

D’TIGERS star Ike Diogu believes the team must be at their best to excel at the 2021 men’s AfroBasket and the Tokyo Olympics.

The Nigerian men booked their ticket to the AfroBasket, scheduled for Rwanda later in the year, recently in Tunisia, and will be Africa’s sole representatives at the men’s basketball event of the Olympics in July and August.

Veteran and team leader Diogu, who was a member of the team to the London 2012 Olympics, said despite D’Tigers’ impeccable 6-0 unbeaten run during the AfroBasket qualifiers, they still have a lot of work ahead of them.

“The goal is for everybody to go back to their various clubs, stay in shape and meet back in the summer for the 2020 Olympics,” Diogu to NBBF media.

The 37-year-old legend however believes the team can challenge for honours in Rwanda and Tokyo.

“We have a lot of things to fix because there will be some guys that will be added and removed from the roster, so I am looking forward to having a complete team,” he noted.

D’Tigers won their first-ever AfroBasket title in 2015 but lost to hosts Tunisia in the 2017 final.

Diogu, who recently signed for Chemidor Basketball Club of Iran, says he is determined to help Nigeria win their second ever continental title.

When asked about the team’s expectations ahead of the championship, Diogu said: “To win just like everybody else, the same thing for us too. We want to try and establish being the best team in Africa just like the rest of the other teams.”

Diego has won AfroBasket gold and silver medals, made two appearances at the Olympics and a third is in the horizon, making him one of Nigeria’s most successful basketball players ever.