Covid-19 knocks D’Tigers star Eric out of Tokyo Olympics

 D’TIGERS star Michael Eric has ruled himself out of representing Nigeria at the 2020 Olympic Games men’s basketball event after contracting Covid-19.

Eric, who recently won the European Championship with Russian club CSKA Moscow, announced on Thursday that he tested positive for the virus and has struggled to reach peak fitness.

“I will not be able to represent my country, Nigeria,  in this year’s Olympics in Japan,” he stated.

“During the last two and a half weeks, my health and physical shape went through traumatic experience that will unfortunately make me miss this tournament.”

Eric, the son of the late former Super Eagles coach Joe Erico, said he was gutted to miss out on fulfilling a life-long dream of playing at the Olympic Games.

He revealed that he had received treatment and subsequently tested negative but the period of isolation and recuperation coincided with D’Tigers training camp and the Olympics, making it virtually impossible for him to be at his best during the Games.

“I must do what is best for my health and my wellbeing and above all, for the team’s benefit,” the 33-year-old added.

“Regaining my strength and recovering over time so that I can come back stronger, rather than rushing to play this summer, is what’s best for me and our team.”

The centre, who made his debut for Nigeria at the World Cup in China in 2019, is hopeful of representing Nigeria in future.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Basketball Federation in its reaction expressed surprise at the news as they wish him a quick recovery.

NBBF President Musa Kida said: “Eric since making his debut for the team has established himself as a very important part of what we are trying to achieve as an organisation.  We will definitely miss him, but we hope to see him back soon.”