Afrobasket: D’Tigress want to finish top in Group B, says Sarah Ogoke

By Our Reporter

D'TIGRESS point guard, Sarah Ogoke-Ejiogu is optimistic that the Nigeria senior women basketball team can maintain their momentum and finish top of their group at the ongoing 2017 FIBA Afrobasket Women’s championship in Bamako, Mali.

Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that Nigeria is campaigning in Group B alongside defending champion-Senegal, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea.

Having booked a quarter final qualification with two games left to be played in the group stages, Sarah Ogoke is feeling good about the tournament's results so far for the team.

In a chat with the team’s media officer Oni Afolabi ahead of their fourth group game against Guinea on Tuesday at the Palais Des Sports Salamatou, Maiga, Bamako, the RC Celta Vigo of Spain player declared that they are exactly where they planned to be before the tournament started.

“We have won three matches and qualified for the quarter finals, we have a match against Guinea and the match that everybody is looking forward to against defending champions (Senegal) on Wednesday.”

She admitted that the team under the guidance of Coach Sam Vincent may not be one of the biggest and tallest teams at the 2017 edition of the tournament which serves as qualifiers for the 2018 FIBA World Cup but they are definitely one of the teams to beat.

She believes that the team is the most balanced and technically sound side compared to other 11 countries who are vying for honors at the 2017 edition of the apex women competition in Africa.

 “We have the deepest rooster and that has been one of our biggest attribute as a team. We can play fast for the whole 40 minutes because you know you have to give everything you have because somebody as good as you are is on the bench to replace you when you are tired.”

The D’Tigress regular who has averaged 10.3points so far in 3 games is looking forward to improving on her shooting accuracy and score more points for the team.

“Although, I am consistently shooting about 50% from the 3 point line right about now, I am looking forward to improving as the tournament progresses.

“Travel can affect you, the altitude, the food amongst other things that can contribute to your performance, but it’s a long tournament and I am looking forward to improving my shooting percentage,” Ogoke concluded.