Painful Reflection of National Betrayals in Nigeria Basketball
-By: Tunde Olagoke (Oyo State)
In the world of sports, victories are never just about scores. They are about identity, unity, and the collective heartbeat of a nation. Few moments embody this truth more than the Nigeria women’s basketball team — the indomitable D’Tigress — lifting the Women’s AfroBasket trophy again in Ivory Coast. It should have been a moment of complete national pride, a celebration of resilience, beauty and hard-earned dominance.
Yet, for many of us watching closely, the triumph carried a painful shadow.
What happens when the greatest threat to a nation’s success doesn’t come from its rivals, however, from within its own national borders? What do we do when personal ambition, selfish ego, and internal bitterness threaten to overshadow the National flag we claim loyalty to…?
This story is not just about sport — it is about the country versus Colonel Sam Ahmedu (rtd), and the heavy heartbreak that comes when those entrusted with national stewardship forget which comes first; Self or Nigeria?
At the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket in Ivory Coast, the Nigerian delegation sensed more than competition — they sensed internal sabotage, politics, and forces rooting quietly for their downfall.
In sporting circles, whispers grew louder: alliances, shifting loyalties, and moves that appeared designed to weaken the D’Tigress rather than strengthen them.
Senegal’s technical bench was suddenly filled with familiar Nigerian faces — coaches, assistants, and support staff who once wore the green-and-white, and who served for a long time.
The optics alone painted a complicated picture of divided loyalties and silent agendas. To many supporters, it felt like a coordinated attempt to hand Nigeria’s greatest rival every tactical advantage possible. On the bench was also Peter Ahmedu, younger brother to current Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) member Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd) and also the head-coach Otis Hughley a former D’Tigress head coach all who were hand picked for our national team by Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd).
Then, the whole brigade of troops appears on the Senegalese bench in an attempt to defeat and ridicule Nigeria.
When Nigeria met Senegal in the semifinals, the tension was unmistakable. It was more than a basketball game — it was a battle for dignity, for national pride, for the soul of Nigerian basketball and much more…
Under Coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress fought with the heart of Tigress, clarity of purpose, and an unbreakable sense of national purpose. They defeated Senegal decisively, moving on to win their fifth (5th) consecutive AfroBasket title — a feat unmatched on the African continent.
As the Nigeria national anthem played and medals were hung around the necks of our champions, the world saw a united team. However, those close to the basketball court saw something else: a moment of discomfort, reluctance, and visible frustration from figures who should have been celebrating Nigeria’s victory without hesitation.
Even the Federation International Basketball Association (FIBA) Africa director had to physically pull and encourage Sam Ahmedu to join the Nigeria Gold-Medal podium — a symbolic gesture that spoke louder than any speech. Nigeria had won, but not everyone wearing the Nigeria badge seemed happy about that victory.
A Deeper Problem: When Ego Overshadows the Nigerian Flag.
Every nation faces internal politics, however, there is a line no patriot should ever cross: the point where one’s personal ambition becomes more important than national success.
When leaders put self over country…
When personal loss of influence becomes a reason to quietly root against your own national team…
When victory for Nigeria feels like defeat for your ego…
Then, we have lost something far more important than a basketball match.
We lose the meaning of service.
We lose unity.
We lose the soul of our sports.
The painful truth is this: Nigeria cannot progress if and when those in positions of influence prefer chaos to progress — simply because they are no longer the ones in control.
D’Tigress Won Because They Refused to Bend
While the politics raged behind the scenes, the players stayed committed. They played for the flag. For the people. For the millions of girls watching them. For the future of Nigerian basketball.
And that is why they won.
Their victory was not just athletic. It was moral. It was symbolic. It was the triumph of country over ego, of unity over division, of purpose over selfish ambition.
This story is not told to shame, attack, or defame any individual. It is told to ask a simple but urgent question:
When did we start valuing personal power over national success?
Nigeria cannot continue this way.
Our athletes cannot keep winning in spite of us.
Our administrators must remember the sacred oath of service.
Our leaders must choose unity over personal politics — especially on the world stage.
Because when the Nigerian flag rises…
When the anthem plays…
When the world watches…
It is not about any individual.
It is about Nigeria.
And Nigeria must always come first.
IKOLO NEWS 