''Playing for Nigeria in AfroBasket Qualifiers 2021 demands one's best,'' says Yahaya

ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - The never-ending stream of talents Nigeria churns out regularly means that making the final roster must be by dint of hard work.

That is one aspect that Abdul Yahaya understands very well having played for the national team severally at different times at the AfroBasket and the national 3x3 teams. 

Ahead of the AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers that will see Nigeria compete in Group D alongside Mali, Rwanda and Algeria, Yahaya says he believes that Nigeria has enough talents both home-based and abroad to qualify for the AfroBasket.

"AT THE OLYMPICS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN TEAMS WILL BE A TEAM TO BE RECKONED WITH."
Abdul Yahaya

"We just have to prepare early. I recall that the team that went for AfroCan 2019 only had just two days to prepare for the tournament. You can't just expect the guys to prepare in two days and perform wonders.

"I know the players from home are talented enough to get the job done. In the history of basketball in the country, it has always been the job of the home-based players to qualify the country for AfroBasket,"the 30-year-old said.

He continued: "Nigeria is the best team in Africa. I mean, go check FIBA rankings. Numbers don't lie but other countries are not sleeping. Senegal, for instance, will be a force to reckon with because they have invested so much into basketball lately.”

With reference to the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which will be held in 2021, Yahaya expresses confident that Nigeria's men and women team would get far considering the fact that they have players all over the world.

"At the Olympics, I am confident that our men and women teams will be a team to be reckoned with. They cannot be taken for granted because Nigeria have world-class players everywhere and they will come home to represent us. Additionally, the Nigeria Basketball Federation has assembled tested coaches to work with the teams and that on its own speaks volumes."

Abdul Yahaya is seen in action against eventual FIBA AfroBasket 2017 champions Tunisia

The 2.02m (6ft 8in) forward who has recently joined Abidjan Basketball Club, on his experience on the introduction of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) explained his move from Rivers Hoopers.

"My leaving my former club wasn't anything personal. I just wanted a change of environment. I wanted to be in an environment where I can play competitive basketball consistently. That's how I get myself in shape to compete against other players from other countries in Africa.

"As far as the introduction of BAL, it will not only help just the local players alone but it will help improve the game of basketball in the continent of Africa in general. We've never had anything like this before in Africa and it pleases me what the fallout would be in a few years to come. It's a dream come true for me.

"Growing up, I've always wanted to compete against the best players in Africa. Though Rivers Hoopers did not finish on the medals table when I played for them, we got to learn a couple of things from the experiences. They need to work on their weakness and emerge as contenders," he added.

Given his experience in the national team, he says that a deliberate effort should be paid to younger athletes to feed the national teams at all levels.

On the effect of the lockdown, Yahaya confesses that: "The coronavirus lockdown has taken its toll on everyone physically, emotionally and mentally but I try not to focus on the dark side. I just try to think positive and stay positive."

FIBA