RADES (Tunisia) - Stan Okoye is the only current member of the Nigerian squad who was part of their first and only AfroBasket championship team.
While Nigeria continues to rotate its squad from window to window, Okoye is the only player to have featured in all six of their games so far.
We have to be our best version - Stan Okoye
The day before Tunisia opened their Group E campaign against Cameroon, Cape Verde and South Sudan, FIBA Basketball sat down with the 35-year-old forward to discuss Nigeria's goals in the current World Cup African Qualifiers.
Bounce-back moment for Nigeria
Nigeria started the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers with back-to-back defeats to Tunisia and Guinea, a feat that threatened their chances of advancing to the second phase of the qualifiers.
However, the win against Rwanda in the last game of the first window eased the pressure, but D’Tigers were far from convincing, a fact that veteran forward Stan Okoye agrees to but says that win set a foundation.
“Obviously, in any competition that goes over the course of two years, you know there's going to be ups and downs. You know, we had a very rough start; we didn't have our full-strength squad. Also, we didn't have the proper preparation. So, the results showed.
“But at the same time, everybody gave their best, and we did what we could. We came out with one win in the first window. So, we're happy with that because we were in a position to qualify for the second round,” Okoye said in an interview with FIBA.basketball.
During the second window, Nigeria turned around their fortunes, winning two nail-biters against Tunisia and Guinea before blowing past Rwanda to extend their winning streak to four games.
Okoye says it was the resilience that pulled them through the first phase of the qualifiers and with elevated competition in the second round that tips off on Thursday, 27 August, against Cameroon, with South Sudan and Cape Verde to follow, reminders about the importance of every game is necessary.
“I think [the key was] just to remain resilient, remain hungry.
"We understand that the goal is further than just one or two games, you know?
"And you have to just keep going through the process. It's not that anybody here needs the reminder, but you know it's about reminding everybody how important every game is, every possession, every quarter, every half.
"We have very tough games ahead of us. Cameroon, Cape Verde, South Sudan - they're very tough, top teams, and talented. So, it's important for us to be focused for 40 minutes each game in order to achieve our goal.”
What this Nigerian team is made of
The 35-year-old vet believes that everybody is in shape, there is great chemistry and leadership in the group, which will help in the pursuit of a World Cup ticket.
“This summer, we just stayed in shape. Everybody stayed in shape. And when we had the opportunity to come together, we practiced before, and we came.
"Our coaches had great game plans, and so far, it's been going well for us. The next one would be the result, the outcome.
“I think the leadership of the staff, different experience from players and also the type of chemistry that we have been able to build [will help us]. I think everybody's on the same page in this group, and that goes a long way.”
Show respect to opponents
Okoye, however, cautions teammates not to look far ahead of themselves but rather live in the moment if they are to extend the winning streak beyond four games.
“We have to stay in the moment. You know, from the jump ball, from every possession, just focus on the moment and take care of it game by game.
“Every game is going to be a battle, and these teams are all very, very different.
"South Sudan have a more-or-less American style of basketball play, and they are very talented, very athletic, very tall, and they can shoot the ball very well.
"Cameroon [are] very strong, bruisers, good guard play, and have a really nice shooter. Very different teams.
"Cape Verde, I'm not sure if Tavares is here this time, but also a completely different dynamic."
"So, we have to show a different face of ourselves each day, but understand that we have to be our best version” Okoye concluded.
FIBA