The year that Nigeria finally hit the summit

LAGOS (2016 Rio Olympics) - If there is a basketball country that fully understands the meaning of the words patience, resilience and focus, it's Nigeria.

At least when it comes to the men's national team that for so long pretended to be the best at the sport in Africa but simply never proved it. Time and time again, Nigeria flirted with greatness on the continent, only to collapse when the going got tough. 

In 1997, Nigeria travelled to Dakar intent on winning after finishing third two years earlier at the AfroBasket in Algeria but instead fell flat in the Final and crashed to a 69-48 defeat to hosts Senegal. The team made a run to the Semi-Finals for a third straight time in 1999 in Luanda but again came up short in the Final against the host nation, this time Angola, losing 79-72. Then in 2003, Nigeria headed north to northeast Africa and again made it to the title game, only to lose to Angola once again. With Gabe Muoneke pouring in 21 points, this Nigeria team routed Senegal in the Semi-Finals and looked hellbent on capturing a first title yet against Angola once again in the championship game, D'Tigers crashed to defeat, 85-65.

Nigeria had the unwanted nickname of the 'Nearly Men'. They teased their fans with talented players and spectacular performances yet never finished the job. In both 2005 and 2011, the team again finished third and in 2013, buoyed by a first-ever Olympic appearance, Nigeria were unbeaten when they fell 64-63 to Senegal. Ben Uzoh had an opportunity to win it in the closing seconds but saw his runner bounce off the rim to set off celebrations on the Senegal bench.

It just never seemed to work in the big games of Africa for Nigeria. Until this summer. Under American coach Will Voigt, Nigeria at last realized their dream of an AfroBasket title. Though they were far from perfect, losing in a rout to hosts Tunisia to end the Group Phase, Nigeria defeated two of their nemesis when it counted to lift the title. First, they won an overtime thriller against Senegal.

Next, they finally put paid to Angola in the title game. The contest had some tense moments, yet the final score, 74-65, masked how comprehensive the victory was.

Imagine what it must now feel like for the Nigerian basketball players. While they won plaudits and hit an emotional high at the 2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament when snatching one of the three places up for grabs for the London Games, they still had unfinished business in Africa. That was especially true after the 2013 defeat to Senegal.

The big difference two years later was Chamberlain Oguchi. Ruled ineligible just before the continental championship held in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire in 2013, he returned with a vengeance in 2015. He was the AfroBasket MVP and put on a remarkable performance. He led Nigeria in scoring at 16.6 points per game and also made 30 of 68 (44.1 percent) from behind the arc. In the decisive games, he was excellent, averaging 23.5 points and hitting a combined 11 of 23 (47.8 percent) three-pointers.

"It is just a testament that hard work pays off, and dreams do come true," he said. "My absence was one of the reasons for our failure...At the time [2013], we promised that we would do everything in our power to win the African Championship because Nigeria is the best team in Africa and it was about time to show it."

So now, Nigeria are the undisputed best team in Africa, a mantle they will carry to Rio de Janeiro for next year's Olympic Games.

"We had talked a lot about the history of Nigerian basketball and starting that foundation in Tunisia," Voigt said. "To go to the Olympics through the OQT was special but we had never won an African Championship. I hope this is something that will be the catalyst for success moving forward."

FIBA