Nigeria misses out on FIBA’s 4 wild-card entries

Germany, Lebanon, Lithuania and Russia are the countries that have been awarded wild-card entries to basketball’s 2010 world championships. Reacting to FIBA’s exclusion of Nigeria from the list of nation’s that have been awarded wild-card entries, head coach of basketball in the FCT, Coach Emmanuel Odah told Trustsports that he was totally disappointed with the […]

Germany, Lebanon, Lithuania and Russia are the countries that have been awarded wild-card entries to basketball’s 2010 world championships.

Reacting to FIBA’s exclusion of Nigeria from the list of nation’s that have been awarded wild-card entries, head coach of basketball in the FCT, Coach Emmanuel Odah told Trustsports that he was totally disappointed with the decision.

He said going by Nigeria’s pedigree in world basketball, he was very optimistic that FIBA would award one of the cards to the country.

The former junior national basketball team coach said Nigeria had done very well in the previous World Basketball Championship and deserved a place in the 2010 edition.

 “I feel highly disappointed with the decision by FIBA to leave out Nigeria. Many of us believed that with Nigeria’s recent performances, we would be awarded one of the wild-card entries. It is unfortunate that FIBA has left us out”.

He, however expressed optimism that soon, Nigeria would not need a wild card to qualify for any World Championship.

“The wind of change blowing will ensure that we no longer wait on any wild car to qualify. The qualification of Eagles for South Africa 2010 is enough to show that things are changing and everything is possible”

Four Turkish cities will host games in a tournament that runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12.

World champion Spain will head the 24 nations in Tuesday’s draw.