SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - Since I first saw Sarah Ogoke play at AfroBasket Women 2013, I felt the Nigerian-American was a relentless competitor and, sooner rather than later, she would emerge on a big stage.

So I wasn't entirely surprised when, last December, the 1.78m point guard received her first real professional offer to play for Angolan giants Primeiro D'Agosto, who had just been denied in the Final of the African Champions Cup for Women (ACCW) in Sfax, Tunisia.

Six months after showcasing her game in Angola, Ogoke and D'Agosto have parted ways, but the 24-year-old, who played for Nigerian side First Bank at the ACCW before joining the Angolan club, remains upbeat.

Just like she showed her potential in Mozambique two years ago, Ogoke feels stronger than ever.

After helping D'Agosto win the Angolan Super Cuper against city and continental archival InterClub de Luanda, the Nigerian international is ready for another career challenge.

As the Angolan national championship is due to begin next week, and given there are only two spots available per team for foreign players, the National Army-funded club is ensuring to win the battle in the paint area against InterClube.

They have let Ogoke go to strengthen the center position with the addition of 2.03m Lindsay Corine Taylor.

The 34-year-old player, set to play in Africa for the first time, has featured for a number of WNBA teams, including the former champions Houston Comets, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics. She is expected to bring some physicality to D'Agosto frontcourt.

Last week, I talked to Ogoke and asked to the share her Angolan experience and look ahead to what her basketball career holds in the future.

This is what she told me.

"My first professional experience was amazing. Angola is a place where they do basketball the right way," she said.

"The sport is number 1 in the country and it's still growing at the speed of light.

"I'm blessed to have been able make an impact on the team right away and help Primeiro D'Agosto win a Super Cup Championship while I was there.

"Now it's time to win more titles! I'm looking to continue my career in Israel, Turkey, or especially Spain where my Nigerian passport can give me an advantage by getting an extra spot on a team as an American.

"I was able to meet Lindsay [Corine Taylor]. She's a big time player and an experienced veteran.

"My biggest advice to her was to be ready for the physicality of African Basketball. Every game is a war!

"I'm currently in camp in Abuja, Nigeria, with the Nigerian senior national basketball team.

"We are preparing for the first leg of Olympic Qualifications against Cote d'Ivoire.

"This time around is my third AfroBasket [Women] competition, so I consider myself a veteran now with the national team.

Our leaders have put together a young, energetic group that's ready to 'Run and Gun' and we have already set our eyes on the gold. - Ogoke

"As the leading scorer in 2013, I look to continue to make a winning impact and build on the momentum we put together in the last competition and bring the trophy back to Nigeria where it belongs," Ogoke said of her role for her national team.

"After we qualify, I'll get back to working out with my trainers Steve Barber and Ken Howell in the States.

"I'm also looking to start working with well-known NBA trainer and former Nigerian men's national team head coach John Lucas of Houston to help me prepare for the AfroBasket Women Tournament in Cameroon.

"The mindset of this Nigerian team headed by coach Scott [Nnaji] and coach Aderemi [Adewunmi] is nothing less than we must qualify."

It was a refreshing to feel how positive Ogoke remains.

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.