August 14, (THEWILL) – The city of Lagos will play host to the FIBA Pre-Olympics African Qualifier basketball tournament from August 14 to 20.
The qualifier will see eight African national teams compete for a coveted spot representing the continent at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Teams participating include Senegal, Mali, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Guinea, Tunisia and Nigeria. The teams have been divided into two groups of four, with the top two finishers in each group advancing to the semi-finals. The winner of the final match will clinch the sole African qualifying spot for the Olympics.
As the top-ranked team in Africa, Nigeria’s national team, D’Tigers, are favoured to emerge victorious. Their 23-man squad features several players currently active in the NBA. The tournament will be hosted at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation, Dr. Engr. Ahmadu Musa Kida, was confident that Nigeria will deliver a successful event and strong performance. “We are proud to showcase our country, the beauty of Lagos, and the incredible talents of the D’Tigers to the world,” he said.
The African Qualifier will be broadcast live to over 70 million viewers in more than 60 countries. It is expected to attract over 8,000 spectators locally in Lagos. Basketball icons, who have contributed to the development of the sport in Nigeria, will be honoured during the 9-day competition.
Five teams from around the world will eventually qualify through zonal tournaments for the final Olympic qualifying event in 2024. The Olympic basketball tournament will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
