Liz Cambage has revealed her shock plans to change allegiance and play for Nigeria at subsequent yr’s Paris Olympics.
The polarising basketball star has been all-but barred from representing the Opals since an unsightly incident that concerned the Nigerians in a warm-up match earlier than the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Cambage was concerned in each a bodily and verbal altercation with gamers from the African nation which led to her being dumped from the nationwide facet earlier than the Olympics began.
The 31-year-old allegedly known as the Nigerian gamers “monkeys” and advised them to “go back to their third world country” – though she has frequently denied the slurs.
With a Nigerian father, Cambage is eligible to play and says they’ve been courting her.
“Why does Nigeria want me to leave Australia and go and represent them?” Cambage advised the Bleacher Report.
“We’re filing for me to leave the Australian team, so I can represent Nigeria.
“I’ve been in cahoots, I’ve been speaking to them since all of this occurred.
“This is what I mean, people don’t know the truth.”
Cambage was requested why her account of the scrimmage conflict was totally different to others and she or he claimed she was getting used as a “scapegoat”.
“Because the truth looks a lot worse for other organisations involved, than using me as a scapegoat,” mentioned the towering centre, who hasn’t performed knowledgeable recreation since strolling away from the WNBA in July 2022.
“A lot of girls don’t like me … I’m very pro-Black. I did not say these things to these girls.”
Veteran Nigerian ladies’s basketballer Promise Amukamara shut down Cambage’s claims, tweeting: “I’m sorry however that is False. Lol.
“She known as us Monkeys & advised us to return to our nation. Yes she mentioned that!
“Literally everyone from both teams have the same story BUT her, so y’all do the math!”
Cambage mentioned she wished to resurrect her worldwide profession for her followers and that may like to play at one other Olympics.
“I really hope Australia releases me and FIBA allows it because my fans miss me playing,” she advised the podcast.
“I’d love to do another Olympics. Paris would be fab.
“Rio Olympics was one of many worst instances of my life and that is a mirrored image of the teaching employees and the group.
“I would love to start fresh with teammates that understand me, look like me, appreciate me and respect me.”
For the swap to occur Nigeria should request Cambage’s launch via FIBA earlier than Basketball Australia log off.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
