We’re Not Letting Go of Our Dominance – Wakama on D’Tigress

Nigeria women’s basketball head coach Rena Wakama has reaffirmed the team’s commitment to remaining at the summit of African basketball, after steering D’Tigress to a historic seventh FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in Abidjan, Sport360NG reports.

D’Tigress sealed their fifth straight championship with a commanding 78–64 victory over Mali in Sunday’s final, extending their unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and securing qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Asked how long she thought Nigeria could maintain their grip on the continent, Wakama said, “Hopefully for a very long time. It’s difficult to put a number on it, but we want to keep pushing forward.”

Despite limited preparation, the team held just six training sessions before their opening match, Wakama praised her players for showing mental resilience throughout the tournament.

“This was more of a mental battle for us,” she explained. “Other teams had months to prepare. We didn’t complain; we stayed focused and mentally tough. I’m extremely proud of what the team achieved.”

Ahead of the final, Wakama reminded her players of the bigger picture.

“I told them, ‘This is about more than just a title. You’re playing for your country, your legacy, and future generations. Go out there and win not just for yourselves, but for Nigeria.’”

Wakama also made history herself, becoming the first female coach to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles. She credited her assistant, Wani Muganguzi, for his support and shared values.

“Wani is like a brother. He’s doing great work in France, and we’re aligned when it comes to faith, family, and empowering women,” she said. “Having someone who shares your vision makes all the difference.”

From a tactical standpoint, the Nigerian team made key adjustments to neutralize Mali’s high-tempo offense. Wakama singled out veteran centre Murjanatu Musa for her critical role in protecting the paint.

“Mali play with speed and discipline, and we had to stop them in transition,” Wakama noted. “Musa is a fighter. She had a tough start to the game, but I had faith in her, and she stepped up when it mattered.”