Head coach of D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, has expressed disappointment after Nigeria’s 73–81 loss to the Germany women’s national basketball team at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament 2026.
Wakama revealed that the team had hoped to secure a victory as a fitting send-off for retiring captain Sarah Ogoke, who has served the national team for over 15 years.
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“We really wanted to get a win for Sarah,” Wakama said.
The coach praised Ogoke’s leadership, dedication, and long-standing contribution to Nigerian basketball, describing her as a key figure in the team’s success over the years.
“She has given so much to this team over the last 15 years,” she added.
Despite the defeat, Wakama acknowledged that the team had gone through a tough run of fixtures in the tournament and still managed to gain valuable experience.
She stressed that the lessons learned from facing strong opposition will be crucial as the team prepares for the World Cup.
“It’s been a tough week, but we’ve gained valuable experience,” she said.
Wakama concluded by expressing confidence that the team will be better prepared moving forward, noting that the experience from the qualifiers will help D’Tigress compete more effectively on the global stage.
