Wednesday 1 August 2012

Don’t write us off yet, D’Tigers tells Nigerians



THE team was expected to win its first two games at the ongoing London 2012 Olympic Games, but after a scintillating performance against Tunisia in the opening game, it fell like a pack of cards to Lithuania in the second game, and today it faces the almighty owner of the NBA, the United States (U.S.).

“Everybody expects U.S. to whitewash D’Tigers, and even the Nigerians themselves, I suspect, do not actually fancy their chances against Lebron James and his pals,” a basketball observer said. “But they are not ready to lie down and wait to be slaughtered.

“The team unanimously agreed that it met a different team from the Lithuania it beat just last month when both teams clashed on Tuesday. And now the players are ready fight back. At least, that was what they said yesterday, and many Nigerians here believe them.”

Al-Farouq Aminu, who made a double-double outing with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Lithuania, said the Europeans adopted a different tactic from their last encounter in Venezuela, adding: “They had a different team – different approach, different mentality and a little adjustment of the roster.

“They had much better offence and that worked for them. They have been together for a long time and that also showed. But we are now wiser. We will approach our next games bearing in mind that we will either win at least one more game or we are out of the games.”

To shooting guard Chamberlain Oguchi, “Lithuania is gone, now we are ready for the next games. It might not be easy against America, but we will give it our best shot.”

Nigeria needs to win at least one game against any of U.S., France or Argentina to be in contention for a second round berth. The Americans had yesterday as off day to relax their muscles, as directed by coach Mike Krzyzewski

“We’re going to have a day off, but we’re going to still be around each other,” forward Carmelo Anthony said after the Americans routed Tunisia on Tuesday. “We’ll be in the hotel.

“We might go to some events tomorrow. We’ve been going since Vegas nonstop, putting a lot of work in, so I think tomorrow, we definitely need that day.”

After Nigeria, the Americans will get a stiffer challenge from Lithuania’s solid young team at the weekend, followed on Monday by the veterans of Argentina - who lost to the U.S. 86-80, in a physical game during the training round.

The goal is to get some rest, take care of Nigeria and be ready for those final two challenges of pool play.



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