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06 - 21
August 2016
Ike Diogu (NGR)
14/08/2016
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Captain Ike, Nigeria still in the hunt

RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Nigeria got their first triumph at the Olympics on Saturday night with a victory over Croatia and in the process moved within a win of the Quarter-Finals.

The AfroBasket 2015 champions were beaten by Argentina, Lithuania and Spain in their opening three games but they prevailed in their penultimate Group B game, 90-76 over Croatia. A win over hosts Brazil on Monday would seal a place in the last eight for D'Tigers.

Nigeria captain Ike Diogu, who had 10 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks against Croatia, spoke to FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: What are your immediate thoughts, Ike, after such a big win?
Diogu: I'm really proud of my guys. We came out here and our backs are against the wall and we battled. We have a golden opportunity to make history, coach told us that a long time ago. Here we are. It's going to be tough, but if we play like that, we can pull it off.

Diogu was inspirational once again for D'Tigers

FIBA.com: Your team looks like it's playing better and better. Is that how you see it?
Diogu: That's how I feel. We figured out that our identity is going to be pressure basketball for 40 minutes. That's how we thrive and that's the only way that we can stay in contention. It's not our offense because we haven't really shot the ball that great but the way we pressure, get out and run, we have a chance against anybody.

FIBA.com: You took on an in-form Croatia tonight but looked loose.
Diogu: We don't worry about anybody else because at the end of the day, we're all professionals. They get paid and we get paid, too, and I'd take my guys against anybody in the world.

FIBA