London 2012: Obasohan predicts tough qualifiers for Nigeria

The Tigers forward Derrick Obasohan believes Nigeria will have a tough ride in the 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament which will hold in July next year.Nigeria had hoped to win gold at Afrobasket 2011 and qualify directly for the London 2012 Olympics but in the end had to settle for bronze and a chance to pick an Olympic ticket in the play-offs that will include some of Europes best.The US-born Obasohan, who plays for DKV Joventut in Spains Liga Endesa and averaging 11 points per contest, first represented Nigeria at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.It is not going to be easy to play teams like Russia, Lithuania, but well play as hard as we can to make a dream come true, Obasohan told FIBA.com.I definitely will be playing for Nigeria in Olympic qualifying.Although I was born in the US, my parents, grandparents and brothers were born in Nigeria. To me, it means a lot to represent NigeriaI have been talking to a lot of players who want to play for the national team. All of them show great passion to represent Nigeria. For many of us, it means a lot to play for Nigeria.Obasohan averaged 16.6 points at the tournament in Antananarivo, Madagascar and poured in 19 in the bronze-medal game triumph over Cote dIvoire but lamented Nigerias semi-final loss to Angola.He said, We were leading (Angola) by as much as 13 points, but they were able to come back. It was hard for us.Angolas defeat [against Senegal] turned the tournament around. Had they not lost to Senegal, it could well have been an Angola-Nigeria final.
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