OQTM – First London, then world domination

CARACAS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - For most countries, playing at the Olympics is the ultimate goal, but for Nigeria it is just the beginning.

“Right now we are trying to become a world power,” said inspirational forward Ike Diogu.

Nigeria qualified for their first Olympic Games with an 88-73 victory over the Dominican Republic in the final game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

It was a remarkable effort given only three players returned from last year’s team, the group had only two weeks preparation, and they had to defeat the world’s fourth and fifth ranked teams along the way.

“The group we have this year is not like any group we’ve ever had. When we assembled the first thing coach said was ‘let’s make history’,” Diogu said.

“(But) not just a one year thing, we want to have sustainable success and that’s what we’re working towards.”

Coach Ayo Bakare, who has masterminded Nigeria’s relentless defensive style and exciting brand of offence, said his team’s performance has been against the odds.

“The country’s focus is on football,” he said.

“We came here with less than one per cent of the funds football would have got if they had the same opportunity.”

But Bakare believes the team’s success and the entertaining style they play will deliver basketball a higher place in the pecking order.

“It’s changing already,” he said.

“We had a phone call from the minister, the ambassador has been at every game. For us, if we have this exposure it begins to work for us.”

Captain Olumide Oyedeji thinks the hierarchy is already in place on the court for this young Nigerian team to become one of the world’s elite.

“We’re trying to build the team for the next 10 years,” he said.

“Hopefully they can continue learning and continue growing, keep bringing young players in and us older players keep tutoring them and showing the way.”

For now though, ‘the way’ is a trip to London for what should be an enthralling Olympic debut.

FIBA