Okoye: Job Not Done Despite 3-0 Sweep

Nigeria’s D’Tigers may have swept their Group C fixtures in Luanda, but veteran forward Stan Okoye insists the mission is far from complete.

‘Going home 3-0 feels amazing, but job is not done,’ Okoye said after Nigeria capped their campaign with a dominant 106-62 victory over Rwanda, the largest winning margin of the 2027 FIBA World Cup African Qualifiers so far.

The win not only secured Nigeria’s place in the second round with a 4-2 record, but also transformed their point differential from -14 to +30, a crucial factor in the qualification format.

‘We spoke about it the day before the game. The point differential matters for the next round and coaches emphasised it a lot,’ Okoye explained.

Coach David Vanterpool praised his team’s defensive execution, particularly in their upset wins over Guinea (80-79) and Tunisia (84-81).

‘We came out with a few different schematics defensively. Our guys did an incredible job limiting some of their better players from getting the type of looks that they normally get,’ Vanterpool said.

‘One of their better shooters [Justin Uwitonze] finished with three points [1-for-7 from behind the arc]. That is indicative of how our guys locked in on the game-plan, they executed at a high level and stayed together through adversity.’

Caleb Agada and Ike Iroegbu set the tone early against Rwanda, sinking three three-pointers in the opening minute as Nigeria raced to a 46-point lead.

Uche Iroegbu led the team in scoring with 17 points.

For Okoye, who first donned the Nigeria jersey at AfroBasket 2013, the campaign carries deep personal meaning.

‘Representing Nigeria means the world to me,’ he said.

‘As a kid I never thought I would be able to be in this position to represent Nigeria, especially at this level and for my family and friends who are all back home supporting and encouraging me. Since the first time I put this jersey in 2013, I am still living the dream and every moment I have to go to Nigeria is a blessing.’

Looking ahead, Okoye stressed that the team’s improved rankings provided motivation to push harder.

‘Looking at the rankings gave us motivation to turn things around,’ he said.