D’Tigers captain, Ike Diogu, is looking forward to Nigeria hosting the Second Round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers this summer, [url]Completesportsnigeria.com[/url] reports.‎

Nigeria’s D’Tigers have never played a competitive game in front of their home fans in over two decades.

Diogu led the Nigerian team to resounding victories over Uganda 102-86, Rwanda 108-53 and Mali 82-59.

He told FIBA.com that playing in front of the passionate Nigerian fans will be a great motivation for the team and an opportunity to be around their families.

“I can’t imagine what the atmosphere would be like playing before our home fans. Diogu told FIBA.com.

“It would be exciting for me and others as well.Most of the time we’ve played for Nigeria, it’s been outside of the country, but the idea that the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers could be at home thrills me and I would look forward to it,” Diogu reiterated.

“It’s always great when you know you’re going to be among family members. Their presence is reassuring and playing in Nigeria would give the fans an opportunity to see their players at close range.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Basketball Federation have stated that they are prepared to host the Second Round of the qualifiers in June/July.

Source:[url]https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/diogu-eager-dtigers-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers%e2%80%8e-nigeria/[/url]