ARGENTINA AND USA: NBBF DEDICATES D’TIGERS VICTORY TO LATE SOUND SULTAN

Nigeria’s national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, continued their impressive preparation for the Tokyo Olympics Games with another win against Argentina 94-71 on Monday evening at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, USA. The victory follows their first –ever win over the United State of America on Sunday morning, the world No.1 ranked team.

The coach Mike Brown led team smashed the world No.4 ranked Argentina with mostly NBA based Nigeria Basketball professional with the likes of Precious Achiuwa of the Maimi Heat, other are Josh Okogie, Ike Nwamu, Nnamdi Vincent, Chikezie Okpala, Jahlil Okafor.

The Nigeria team struggled at the early minutes of the match with D’Tigers unable to record a point within the first two minutes, apparently fighting to cope with the quick pace start of the Argentines. But Okpara in a twist reaction got Nigeria first points off a drive and pass from Precious Achiuwa, the Maimi Heat star player. The first quarter ended with the Argentines leading 19-17.

The effort of the Argentines lead was pioneered by their veteran star player, Luis Scola who will be attending his fifth Olympics with the Americans.

At the start of the second quarter, the 41 year-old Luis Scola was buzzing but the Nigeria team responses was impressive as they did lead the second quarter with a 12 point as Achiuwa produced his offensive and defensive brilliance combined well with Okafor, Obi Emegano to put D’Tigers ahead.  Achiuwa’s masterclass with his team mates continued as Miye Oni beat the buzzer with a rebound, to put back and Nigeria stretched their lead to 19 points at the end of the third quarter.

With the Nigeria team, obviously delighted in their game with speed, aggression and increasing offensive style, D’Tigress tactically realising their dominance in the game reduced the pace to conserve energy but still lead with 20-16 in the fourth quarter. The team did check the Argentine with versatility and maturity in defensive game tactical play, pushing their opponent back, limiting three points attempt from the Americans.

The top scorers for the Nigeria team was led by Jahlil Okafor with 15 points while Josh Okojie and Chimezie Metu had 10 each. In a previous match played by the Argentines in preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the team defeated Australia 87-84 on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF has dedicated the victories against the United States and Argentina to late Olanrewaju Fasasi popularly known as Sound Sultan. Sound Sultan, an avid Basketball fan, exited early hours Sunday while the Nigerian Basketball team was registering a historic 90-87 victory over the US team in preparation for the Olympic Games. He died of Angioimmunoblastic t-cell lymphoma which reports claim he has been battling with in the last four years.  

“We dedicate the victories against the US & Argentina to the late Olanrewaju Fasasi (Sound Sultan). You saw this day coming when Nigeria would become a dominant force in global basketball. Ironically, the day we won against Team USA was when you gave up the ghost. RIP,” NBBF Tweet read.

Olanrewaju Fasasi in November 2015 had a show, Sound Sultan’s ‘Face-Off event, which entertainers like Darey, Tee Billz, Ikechukwu, DR Sid, Jimmie and Vector showed up for the event that had blend of music, dance and other entertainment with the game of basketball.

According to reports, he acquired a stake in a Lagos based basketball club founded in 1984, the Lagos Islanders, with the intent to nurture the team to a 21-century sports franchise as expected.

Sound Sultan was an entertainer with strong comedic flair.