Nigeria’s women’s basketball national team, D’Tigress’ head coach, Rena Wakama has expressed confidence that the squad’s ongoing tour of the United States of America will help them gain cohesion ahead of the FIBA World Cup.
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Sports247 reports that, although Wakama was not with D’Tigress in their opening game of the pre-World Cup tour, due to her commitment as an assistant coach at Chicago Sky, she enthused that the squad will learn from playing against clubs from USA’s Women National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Incidentally, D’Tigress lost their first game 63-89 to Los Angeles Sparks of Saturday night at Viejas Arena in San Diego, where Pallas Kunaiyi led Nigeria in scoring with 11 points, Uche Izoje added 10, while Promise Amukamara and Ezinne Kalu got eight each.
It was the first time an African national team played against a WNBA side and, though D’Tigress lost with a 26 point margin, observers noted the side’s high level of transition, as the Nigerian squad of mostly collegiate players battled gallantly to withstand their highly experienced opponents.
In Wakama’s absence, D’Tigress were tutored by her assistant, Wani Muganguzi, but they struggled for rhythm and never led at any point in the game, as The Sparks took control early and kept their grip all through the four quarters.
They opened a 27-17 lead in the first quarter and took it to 44-29 by halftime, then wrapped up the win in the last two periods, thereby leaving D’Tigress with much work to do before their next build-up game versus Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday.
Despite the defeat, Wakama is staying upbeat and reiterated that the tour will accord the seven-time African champions huge chances of correcting all lapses in their arsenal before heading to Germany for the FIBA Mundial.
“Opportunities like this are critical for our growth as a team. It allows us to refine our identity and build the cohesion needed to succeed on the world stage. We are not just preparing to show up, we are preparing to make a statement.
“Competing against top WNBA talent challenges us in every aspect of the game, physically, mentally and tactically,” said Wakama, whose team has been drawn to play against France, Hungary and South Korea at the Women’s World Cup.
