NGR - Nigeria eye wild card for Spain 2014

ABUJA (AfroBasket/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Minutes after Cape Verde had achieved one of their most famous wins by stunning Nigeria at AfroBasket 2013, both teams revealed their 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup dream had not finished there.

In the post-game press conference, both Ayodele Bakare and Alex Nwora, head coaches of Nigeria and Cape Verde, respectively, insisted they would encourage their federations to seek one of the four wild cards invitations on offer for the 24-team world championship to be staged in Spain.

Nigeria's Ike Diogu followed suit and explained why his Nigeria should play FIBA's flagship event for the third time in their history and first since 2006, despite finishing seventh behind Cape Verde in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire last month.

"It was a disappointing tournament for us and Nigerians no doubt, especially after doing it even in most difficult circumstances at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament," Diogu told Nigerian newspaper Leadership.

"Everybody including us believed we could win the trophy for the first time for Nigeria but things went wrong early with the injuries.

"But we have to put that sad and disappointing experience behind us and hoping earnestly that Nigeria is given one of the wild cards.

"We, no doubt, had the best team at the AfroBasket (2013) and can only prove that again once we are given a chance to play at the World Cup next year," Diogu explained.

New African champions Angola, Egypt and Senegal took the three places on offer for African teams for Spain 2014.

Despite having a quality squad, coach Bakare was able to use only nine players due to injuries to both Richard Oruche and Andy Ogide, while administrative issues that prevented Chamberlain Oguchi from participating in the tournament.

Nigeria were left heartbroken following a 64-63 Quarter-Finals defeat to Senegal.

"We will do Nigeria and Africa proud because we believe we have a team that can give Africa quality representation," Diogo pointed out.

"We want to play at the world stage and prove a point. I hope we are considered."

In 2006, Nigeria had a famous victory in the FIBA World Championship, beating then Serbia & Montenegro 82-75 before losing to Venezuela, France, Argentina and Germany, but also managing a 95-72 win over Lebanon.

The process of application for the four wild cards for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup will start following the conclusion of EuroBasket 2013, the last qualifying tournament for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The exact criteria will be communicated at that time to the teams that participated in the continental championships but did not qualify for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The final decision will be taken by FIBA's Central Board during its meeting in Buenos Aires on the 23-24 November.

FIBA