Looking at Sports and football topical issues around the world but with a keen interest on Africa football (Development Administration Policies)
D' Tiger - The Nigeria Basketball Team Storms London 2012
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Basketball has suddenly taken the centre stage after the impressive and surprising qualification of the Nigerian Basketball team to the London 2012 Olympic Game.This has given Nigerian some lift particularly when football is in an all time low. The qualification could potentially begin a new era of the game in Nigeria. The Basketball team has generated quite a number of Nigeria followers in the last one week following the performance of D' Tigers as they are known. Basketball has the potential of almost getting as close to football in terms of patronage in Nigeria .
The game gained some sort of popularity in the Nigeria in the 80's through different platforms. Akeem Olajuwon ,one of the best centres in the NBA history, was from Nigeria so his participation gained some interest.Chuka Momah's Saturday evening broadcast of the NBA tagged Sports Spectacular increased the awareness at the time. We had basketball teams like Leventis Buffaloes of Lagos Plateau Peaks of Jos ,Niger Potters of Minna, Ebun Comets of Akure, Benin Beads of Benin and the best team at the time Kano Pillars of Kano. My only memory of following a major Basketball competition was the 1986 All African Junior Championship hosted in Lagos Nigeria. Nigeria won that competetion and it was in this competition that i got to know about the strength of Angola. Angola went on to be the best in Africa for a long time. I remembered some few names that represented Nigeria at that championship, the likes of Sunny Osagie, Ola Ayeola and Mark Olisa and of course not forgetting basketball coach Ganiyu Otenigbagbe, ( the person who discovered Akeem Olajuwon) The game had the potential of reaching it apex if the echelon of basketball body had leverage on the interest the game was generating at the time.
Celebration time after defeating Dominican Republic
Prior to London 2012 Olympic qualifiers tournament, Nigeria had played in the FIBA African championship in Madagasgar last August.Nigeria was eliminated by Angola who themselves eventually lost to Tunisia .Tunisia got the automatic ticket to represent Africa, while Nigeria and Angola had to settle for the Qualifying series in Caracas,Venezuela. The team that played at the African Championship was quite different from this present team. With the exception of Ejike Uboaja , Derrick Obasohan and Oyedeji Olumide, the rest of the team were completely new . It is also worthy of note that virtually all the squad had American upbringing , so they have some degree of exposure. Even though majority of them play in other league in Europe, Ike Diogu has had some experience playing in the NBA but was not quite a success. He had played for eight NBA clubs (Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers,Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings,New Orleans Hornet, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs) .With his performance at the Olympic Qualifiers, he would have played his way into the heart of many scouts, It won't be a surprise if he heads back to NBA again. One of the Aminu brothers, Al Farouk Aminu is the only member of the team that plays in the NBA. He is currently with New Orleans Hornet. Other players are Adeola Dagunduro,Anthony Skinn, Alade Aminu,Ekene Ibekwe,Chamberlain Ogwuchi,Koko Archibong, Ejike Uboaja and Richard Oruche
Qualification Campaign
Before heading to Venezuela, they had played some warm up games in China and Brazil. Nobody really gave Nigeria a chance,even Nigerian did not really think that the team stood a chance of qualifying. The first game was against Venezuela which was very narrow in terms of the score margin - 69-70, They could have easily won the game but the team was just beginning to jell and they realised their strength and began show more believe in their abilities.
Defying All Odds
After the loss against Venezuela, it was almost looking like the end of the road for Nigeria but to the shock of the Basketball plaudits,Nigeria defeat Lithuania by 86 - 80. Now this was million dollar victory for many reason, Lithuania is more superior in many respects, and they are the world number 5 in the basketball ranking ,so for Nigeria to win Lithuanian is is very remarkable, then to win them with 6 points margin was unbelievable. To broaden the scope of this victory, Lithuania has appeared in the Olympic games basketball since 1992 till date, won the bronze medal on three different occasions, and European champions in 2003 and bronze medallist at the World Basketball Championship in 2010. That should illustrate the magnitude of this victory from a minor team that was ranked 60th in the world.
Coach Ayo Bakare giving thanks to God
More Shockers
While Nigerian were still basking in the victory over Lithuania, we qualified for the quarter final and the next opponent was another basketball giant - Greece, at this point the general feeling was "it might be the end of road for the Nigerian team", but D'Tigers defeat the Greek team by 80-79 points. Adeola Dagunduro was the hero of this game.After netting a 3 pointer, he went to score 2 free throws in the last 3 seconds of the game . This was a massive victory once again, Nigeria was now on a mission of giant killing .We had just defeated the world number 5 the previous day, now it was world number 4. After this victory, journalist and basketball enthusiast started to take the team serious . Nigeria has now put themselves in the qualifying position. Our next opponent was Russia, This game exposed the Nigeria team and Russia utilised their chances, at some point in time during the game,The Russian were leading by 20 points. The resilient Nigeria kept pushing and lost by 8 points. Russia and Lithuania qualified,Nigeria and Dominican Republic were to fight for the third qualification spot.
History at last
Ike Diogu
Both teams went into the game knowing that only victory would guarantee their ticket to London 2012. The game started well in favour of Nigeria as took the lead for the majority of the game. The Dominican tied with Nigeria at some point, But Hero of the game Ike Diogu with Al Farouk Aminu masterminded Nigeria victory.History was created at last. Credits has to go to Coach Ayo Bakare and the team for the determination they showed during the competition. Nigeria basketball body have to build from here and ride on the success of this team in developing basketball in Nigeria. Nigeria will be playing in the same group as USA, Lithuania Tunisia, France and Argentina at the London 2012 . It will not be easy but one thing is certain, a team that defeated World number 4 and 5 should be taken seriously . Nothing is impossible.
Interview with Diogu, Dagunduro and Obasohan
Pre tournament friendly in China
Pre Tournament preparation in China
Alade Aminu congratulating his brother Al Farouk Aminu
Tension on the Bench
Oyedeji and Obasohan celebrating
Aminu leaping above his opponent
Interview with our American Nigerian Adeola Dagunduro and Tony Skinn
Nicely put together article.. Gave insight at the achievement and stuggles of a very determine and passionate team.. Viva Coach Waka, Viva Team D'Tiger..... up NIGERIA....
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Oh wow, to think I tried to get tickets for Olympic basketball but was unsuccessful. Very happy about the Nigerian bb team!
ReplyDeleteNicely put together article.. Gave insight at the achievement and stuggles of a very determine and passionate team.. Viva Coach Waka, Viva Team D'Tiger..... up NIGERIA....
ReplyDeleteT.alade
Thanks very much...T. Alade
ReplyDelete