Nigeria’s head coach, Rena Wakama, has disclosed that D’Tigress had minimal preparation before securing their record-extending seventh FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship, highlighting the team’s resilience in overcoming adversity.
“We had only six practices before our first game. Other teams had months. This was a mental tournament. We chose not to complain, stayed mentally strong, and I’m proud of the team,” Wakama said.
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Despite the challenges, D’Tigress defeated Mali 78–64 in Sunday’s final in Abidjan, claiming their fifth consecutive AfroBasket crown and extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games. The victory also secured Nigeria’s qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Wakama, the first female coach to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles, remains confident about Nigeria’s continued dominance in African women’s basketball.
“Hopefully for a very long time. It’s hard to put a number on it, but we want to keep going,” she stated.
Before the final, Wakama delivered an emotional message to her players:
“I told them, ‘Go out and win this game not only for yourselves but for our country. We’re playing for something bigger than us. We’re leaving a legacy.’”
She also credited assistant coach Wani Muganguzi for his vital role in the team’s success.
“Wani is like my brother. He’s a brilliant coach in France, and we align on values – God, family, and women’s empowerment. Behind every successful team is a strong coaching staff,” Wakama added.
On the tactical side, Wakama revealed how the team contained Mali’s fast-paced offense.
“Mali are fast, disciplined, and tough. We told the girls we had to stop their transition points and protect the paint. Musa is a warrior. I knew she struggled early, but I believed she would deliver—and she did,” Wakama said, praising centre Murjanatu Musa’s defensive efforts.
