Afro Basket 2017: NBBF Names 22-Man Preliminary Squad

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, has named a preliminary list of 22 players for the 2017 Afro basket for women scheduled to hold in Bamako, Mali from August 18 to 27, 2017.

An official statement by the NBBF signed by its new vice president, Olumide Oyedeji, revealed that 10 of the invited players are home-based players from the Zenith Bank Premier League whose fourth phase is currently holding in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Oyedeji disclosed that the female national team will be tutored by Scott Nnaji as head coach and he would by assisted by Adewunmi Aderemi and Mauro Procaccini, an Italian, adding that “players from the Zenith Bank League are to join other players in camp immediately after the Final 8 play-offs which ends on July 29.”

He however, said that “clubs disposed to releasing their players before the Final eight would be welcome to do so”, adding that the team are expected to camp outside the country from July 23.

The players invited include key players who featured in the 2015 edition of the competition held in Cameroon like team captain, Helen Ogunjimi, Sarah Ogoke, Elonu Adaora, Ndidi Madu, Uju Ugoka, Joyce Ekworomadu, Ezinne Kalu and Olayinka Sanni.

Others include Sarah Imovbioh, Promise Amukamara, Ugochi Nwaigwe, Ifunanya Ibekwe, Evelyn Akhator, Atosu Upe, Chioma Udeaja, Nkechi Akashili, Nkem Akaraiwe, Gloria Umeh, Ebere Okeke, Elawere Odion Tina and Christiana Isaac.