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Nigeria’s women’s basketball head coach, Rena Wakama, has declared that the D’Tigress are determined to maintain their dominance on the continent following their victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Naija News reports that coach Rena Wakama and her girls defeated Mali 78-64 in Sunday’s final to secure their seventh AfroBasket title, their fifth consecutive championship, and a 29-game unbeaten run in the competition.
The win also earned Nigeria a place at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
“Hopefully for a very long time. It’s hard to put a number on it, but we want to keep going,” Wakama said when asked how long she believed Nigeria could remain at the top.
Wakama praised her players’ mental strength throughout the tournament, highlighting the limited time the team had to prepare.
“We had only six practices before our first game. Other teams had months. This was a mental tournament,” she said. “We chose not to complain. We stayed mentally strong, and I’m proud of the team.”
Before the final, Wakama urged her players to embrace the importance of representing the country on a big stage.
She said, “I told them, ‘Go out and win this game, not only for yourself but for our country. We are playing for something bigger than ourselves. We are leaving a legacy.’”
Rena Wakama, who in 2023 became the first female coach to win the AfroBasket, has now made history again by becoming the first woman to win back-to-back titles as head coach. She credited her assistant coach, Wani Muganguzi, for his 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,” she said. “It’s easy to work with someone who shares your vision. Behind every successful team is a strong coaching staff.”
Wakama also explained her tactical decisions during the final, particularly the reliance on veteran center Murjanatu Musa to counter Mali’s aggressive play.
“Mali are fast, disciplined and tough. We told the girls we had to stop their transition points and protect the paint,” she said. “Musa is a warrior. I knew she struggled early, but I believed she would deliver and she did.”
The post Rena Wakama Targets Long-Term Dominance After D’Tigress’ AfroBasket Win appeared first on Naija News.
