EXCLUSIVE: D'Tigers coach Mohammed Abdulrahman explains AfroBasket failure

Head coach of Nigeria’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers Mohammed Abdulrahman has explained the recent outing of the 2025 men's AfroBasket.

In an exclusive interview with Pulse Sports Nigeria, Abdulrahman spoke about the BAL4HER program, D'Tigers and aspiring young basketball players.

Abdulrahman started off with a strong support for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) at the BAL4HER initiative in partnership with WNBA star of Nigerian descent Chiney Ogwumike.

At the camp, Abdulrahman participated in the U23 basketball camps and U16 clinics as a developmental coach.

On the initiative he said, "There are always going to be challenges in life, you know, we're just getting started anyway, and it's an amazing experience for me.

"You know, and it's a great change, you know, having worked with men a couple of days back, you know, so this is a fantastic opportunity for me.

"I have, I coach a girls team, so I mean, being in this program and getting to work with players at this level, you know, it's exciting for me.

"I'm, I'm, I'm so curious, you know, about what is going on here and I really like being here and I'm excited being here.

"For the camp that's my role here and I think so far, so far we've done a great job with the other coaches here."

Abdulrahman then hailed the women's national basketball team known as D'Tigress for winning their fifth AfroBasket title.

He said, :I think you have to also give credit to the Tigress, you know, I think, Having, you know, done that fantastic, you know, historic, you know.

"Winning 5 Afro basket championships, you know, has inspired most of those girls, and, I think it's one of the reasons that actually motivates Chiney to come over here and try to see if we can build.

"You know, some girls that will hopefully someday play at that level and achieve the same, the same glory."

Abdulrahman then talked about Nigerian players aspiring to make it to the WNBA citing D'Tigress star Murjanatu Liman Musa as an example.

He added, "I've seen some potentials here in this program that are hopefully, hopefully someday you and I are going to sit back and say, we had this interview.

"Hard work, perseverance, dedication, and, you know, commitment to the game. That's all it takes.

"There is player, Muja. I remember years back when she was playing with the Air Warriors when I was trying to get her to come and play for, for the custom teams, you know, I watched her grow and she's always, always working hard.

"She's committed to the game. She's dedicated to the game, and she was really, really, really focused.

"And that's why she's playing at the level that she's playing now."

Abdulrahman then explained D'Tigers quarterfinal loss to Senegal at the AfroBasket in Angola.

He added that the team is building in the right direction and hopeful to add some key players in the NBA.

He said, "There are always going to be challenges in life, you know, I want you to know that those players, you know, push everything aside challenges, obstacles, and whatever and decide to go out there and play for their country.

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"It's one thing for me to say jump and it's another for them to jump, you know, but I think they just make the commitment and decide that, you know what, we want to play this game."

Abdulrahman is expected to lead D'Tigers ahead of the upcoming 2027 FIBA Men's World Cup qualifiers.