D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama can’t hide her excitement following the team’s victory over Canada at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday.
The African champions defeated Canada 79-70 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy Arena.
D’Tigress shredded every pre-tournament prediction and expectation to make it to the quarter-finals for the first time.
“It’s surreal and I don’t think it’s going to hit me yet for another couple of hours,” Wakama, who has done a breathtaking job at the helm, with Nigeria having outlasted both Australia and Canada was quoted by FIBA.com.
“I am proud of my girls and I have pushed them so hard. I have pushed them harder than anyone can even imagine. It’s because I know what they can do and we did that today and we showed them who we are.
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“It’s about every little detail and I make them start over [if not done right], I make them do everything right for these reasons. So, in crunch time and in pressure situations, we can execute when our backs are up against the wall.”
The very mention of the record-breaking exploits and the significance of the victory for Africa as a whole and Wakama is left struggling to get her words out.
“I am going to get emotional. I mean, oh jeez – trust the process, keep fighting, keep pushing,” smiled the play-caller.
“I have always been a fighter growing up. You tell me I can’t do something and I am going to tell you that I can.
“I hope young girls are watching his I wanted to be the first but I don’t want to be the last. If we invest in Africa we are capable of doing really amazing things. We have to put some eyes on Africa and develop the game there and it starts with grassroots. it will make the game so much better.”
By Adeboye Amosu
5 Comments
The 1st ever African team of any gender to do this at the Olympics.
Give ’em hell, Ezinne Kalu!
Up next is America. My oh my some people will not come out of their house if Nigeria goof. Tigress prepare for battle because we’re in this together against familiar foes from WNBA. Please watch out for my favourite 3 pointer Sabrina Ionescu and Aja Wilson. Ezinne Kalu, Amukamara, Balogun and Amy Okonkwo you all have to fight like you never did. Kunaiyi please stop the unnecessary fouls we almost lost today because of your dirty play. Coach RENA has to speak to Kunaiyi because Americans will target her to draw endless free throws. We can do it but whichever way the result goes we have to be smart and not just lay around for them to take advantage of slips. We also need to work on our rebounds since that has been our weakness and Musa is good at going for such duels most especially when we have more body before a shot is made. I believe if we fight like we did against Australia we might shock the USA Goodluck girls!!!!!!!!
CSN na Basketball oh…no be football
Complete sports……Where does it say only football is supposed to be reported? It’s a sports website.
Rena Wakama is indeed remarkable.
Achieving so much at such a young age. Only 31 years old.
Our basketball is in good hands going into the next decade.
Can she lead Nigeria to a medal?
Even if our run comes to an end against the USA, this team needs to be appreciated. Just emerging from such a tough group alone is worthy of celebration.
But we are not out yet. Let’s give the Americans a game to remember!