Reports say that the team defeated Tunisia 60-56 to set up a Tuesday clash with Lithuania in the second match of the event.
Aminu told newsmen moments after the Group A preliminary round match at the Basketball Arena that the team had been able to make a big statement.
``It feels great to play and win. Today, it was a big statement match for us,” Aminu, who scored 10 points and nine rebounds in the match, said.
``We played the African champions and beat them.
``It was not easy, but we did it and I think we have sent a big statement out there that the world has to watch out for us,” he said.
Speaking on Tunisia's comeback which threatened Nigeria's lead late in the game, Aminu said his team had a determined opposition in the North African country.
``Credit Tunisia for playing well, but we almost succumbed to their pressure. I couldn't get going for whatever reason.
``Maybe it was the usual first match jitter, I don't know, but in the end, it was good to get a win,'' he said.
Teammate Tony Skinn, who scored seven points, said that it felt good to be part of a team winning its first game at its first appearance at the Olympics.
``I feel good that we got our first win, though we didn't do the necessary stuff to put the game away in the first half.
``That normally happens when you are playing in a tight game,” Skinn who, however, praised the North Africans for their efforts, said.
``Tunisia played hard and made it a game towards the end. But we still got the victory,” he said.
The D’Tigers won the game with scores at 18-7, 13-8, 14-16, 15-25 in the first, second, third and fourth quarters, respectively.
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