Ogoh Odaudu, the Head Coach of Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigers, has shouldered the responsibility for the team’s inability to secure a spot in the semifinals of the ongoing FIBA Africa Pre-Olympics qualifiers, taking place in Lagos.
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Nigeria faced disappointment as they suffered defeats in both of their games during the competition against Senegal and Mali.
This setback prevented them from advancing to the final of the tournament, a stage that would have offered the victor Africa’s final qualification slot for the prestigious Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Coach Ogoh Odaudu candidly acknowledged the challenges they encountered.
He expressed his difficulty in coming to terms with the outcome, particularly since his team held the lead in both matches until the last quarters of play.
During the most recent match against Mali, D’Tigers managed to secure the advantage in the first quarter with a score of 25 to 17 points.
They maintained their lead in the second quarter, posting 43 to 38 points, and extended their dominance into the third quarter with a score of 61 to 53.
However, their fortunes took a dramatic downturn in the final quarter, culminating in a defeat with a score of 68 to 77 points.
In the aftermath of the loss, Odaodu accepted full responsibility, stating, “I have no explanation for the defeat to Mali.
We have made mistakes and I take the blame. We did all we could to win on the court, but things did not work out.
We did not have the best of preparations, but still, I take the blame. Hopefully, we move forward.”
The coach’s introspective perspective and accountability reflect his commitment to the team’s growth and progress.
Despite facing challenges in preparation, his focus remains resolute on learning from this experience and striving to advance in the team’s future endeavors.
With his acknowledgment of the setbacks and his determined outlook, Coach Ogoh Odaudu demonstrates the kind of leadership that drives improvement and success within the team.
