FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018: We’ve a lot to prove, says Ogoke
Nigeria’s D’Tigress point guard, Sarah Ogoke believes their victory against Turkey has confirmed their intention to make a mark at the on-going FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.
Being Nigeria’s first ever win at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, Ogoke promised it was only the beginning.
With the noise of her team-mates 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 just getting started,” she told FIBA. “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 got the chance to show it.”
Also, Nigeria’s head coach Otis Hughley was a proud figure.
Engaged to lead the team 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 program 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.
“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.”
Nigeria will on Tuesday battle win-less Argentina in the last group match of the tournament to determine their stay in the competition.