Ahead of facing Central African Republic, Nigerians winning for country

LAGOS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 African Qualifiers) - In the build-up to Saturday's clash against the Central African Republic in Lagos, Al-Farouq Aminu says they are on a special mission. 

"We are doing this for the name in front of our jerseys. We want to make our families proud," said the man who ignited Nigeria to an 84-73 win against a determined Cote d'Ivoire team in their Group F opener.

On Saturday, Nigeria take on the Central African Republic (CAF) who desperately need to win in order to keep their World Cup aspirations alive.

After leading by as many as 17 points, CAF collapsed to Mali, losing 66-65, and, as a result, dropped to a 3-4 mark, the same as Mali and Rwanda.

A quick glance at the history books and the numbers explain why Nigeria are a strong favorites to win the game.

They beat the Central African Republic in all their ten meetings dating back to the 1992 edition of the FIBA AfroBasket.

And, Aminu knows it better why a win is important.

"If we lose, you won’t remember who I am. At the end of the day, you have to learn how to win games. We just are still putting the number thing on our agenda, which is winning."

FIBA