“Nigerian Women Are Built Different”, Sarah Ogoke Celebrates D’Tigress’ Win While Serving as a Practising Surgeon
Sarah Ogoke, veteran member of the D’Tigress and a practising podiatric surgeon, praised the extraordinary spirit of Nigerian women following the team’s historic fifth straight FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title.
Appearing on Arise TV, the 35-year-old shared:
“I’m built different. Nigerian women are built different. We achieve amazing things, even the impossible. My secret? Discipline, resilience, determination, hard work, and focus.”
Her journey to the championship was far from simple. Months earlier, she gave birth and endured the loss of her father, but still managed to secure a place on the squad. With her medical responsibilities on pause, she explained:
“Absolutely, I’m using my vacation days to be here. My job will be waiting when I go back.”
Having spent four years in medical school, Ogoke drew a powerful analogy between medical training and elite sports:
“Medical school taught me to work diligently and steadily on a skill set over a long time. That approach directly translates to the discipline needed in basketball.”
A cornerstone of Nigeria’s basketball excellence since 2017, Ogoke reflected on the collective mindset driving the team’s continued dominance:
“There’s something different in our blood as Nigerian women, tenacity, pride, grit. We just refuse to lose. We’ve held this crown since 2017, and we’re not giving it up soon.”
She also shared a moment of truth from the final against Mali, where the game was tied 41–41 at halftime. Coach Rena Wakama’s no-nonsense pep talk proved pivotal:
“Coach Rena wasn’t nice about it at all. She said, ‘We were the better team, but they came to beat us, they didn’t come for vacation or just to be here. Their goal was to beat us, and if we let that happen…’ That woke us up, and we played like the team we are.”
Looking ahead, Ogoke expressed gratitude for the honor of representing her country, and excitement about the team’s next goal:
“Playing for Nigeria is a privilege, not a right. Every time they ask me to be part of the programme, I’m thankful. Now that we’ve qualified for the 2026 World Cup, we’re determined to build on our Olympic success and, with God’s grace, bring home a medal.”
Following the victory, President Bola Tinubu rewarded the D’Tigress with $100,000 per player, $50,000 each for the coaching and technical staff, and furnished flats for everyone at Renewed Hope Estate.