Ogoke in cloud nine as Nigeria looks to the skies
Tenerife 2018 FIBA Women World Cup Bad officiating caused Nigeria’s loss at African Regional 7s Championship
THE celebrations were still underway for Nigeria after their first-ever FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup win, when Sarah Ogoke promised it was only the beginning.
With the noise of her teammates partying in the locker room behind her, the guard was in bullish mood after Nigeria’s landmark 74-68 victory over Turkey. And, she had every right to be, having dropped a team-high 22 points in the contest.
It’s not over yet and we’re
BLACK Stallions’ Captain, Azeez Oladipo is disappointed by the outcome of the just-concluded African Regional Sevens Men’s Tournament held in Abidjan, Cote d’ivoire. Nigeria finished second in the competition, but Oladipo believes the Black Stallions would have won the event if the officiating just getting started,” she smiled. “I’m not satisfied at all because to me it’s a big win, but we can’t feel comfortable until we beat Argentina and move into the next round.
“I have been playing on the national team for a while now and felt that I had a point to prove and Nigeria also had a point to prove. We’re not your typical African basketball country. “We have a lot of talent on this team and we have a lot of experience and we finally were fair.
Nigeria lost 22 to 17 to Cote d’ivoire in the final match. Analyzing their outing in Abidjan, Oladipo said, ‘’I am not happy with the final result but I must admit I am quite pleased with the boys, especially the newbies in the squad. They did really well; the boys gave it their all.”
He praised Head coach, got the chance to show it.” Meanwhile head coach, Otis Hughley Jnr was a proud figure. Parachuted into the role only a few weeks before the tournament tipped off, he was quick to point out how well his team had done to fend off a late Turkey rescue mission.
“Turkey has been through a lot to build that programme and for us to sneak a little shortcut like that. Wow, I was praying almost on my knees as we’re so inexperienced and young,” he said. Bronson Weir for his openness and all inclusive style of leadership, which he said has brought out the best in the players.
“All the other teams kept saying Nigeria was the champion out there in Abidjan… they believe we won the final match, but we had to abide by the referees decision and move on,” he said.
“We came through a lot of adversity and mistakes and were still able to fight off a couple of runs. We even held on with some poise when two of our main players fouled out. “I had been getting a little criticism for trying to get all the girls ready instead of focusing on the main stars, but I knew this kind of moment would come.
“This is not my first, second or third movie. I have seen it all too many times before in NBA, college and the FIBA game. I was just happy that my decision paid off.” •Culled rom www.fiba.basketball.