Not many people gave Nigeria’s D’Tigress a chance heading into the Paris 2024 Olympics for several reasons, ranging from the administrative issues inhibiting the progress of the team as well as the calibre of teams they were drawn against in their group.
The D’Tigress came into the women’s basketball tournament in Paris as the lowest ranked side, and they were drawn in Group B against three of the top 10 ranked teams in the world in Australia (3rd), Canada (5th), and host France (7th).
However, if no one believed the team could prove doubters wrong, one person did—head coach Rena Wakama, who is making her Olympics debut as a coach or player.
The Wakama-led side defeated Canada on Sunday to become the first African team—male or female—to progress to the quarterfinals in the Olympics, a defining moment in the basketball history of the country and the continent at large.
“It’s surreal and I don’t think it’s going to hit me yet for another couple of hours,” the 32-year-old Wakama said after the achieving the historic feat at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
“I am proud of my girls, and I have pushed them so hard. I have pushed them harder than anyone can even imagine. It’s because I know what they can do, and we did that today and we showed them who we are.
“It’s about every little detail and I make them start over [if not done right], I make them do everything right for these reasons. So, in crunch time and in pressure situations, we can execute when our backs are up against the wall,” she added.
Nigeria outclassed Australia in their opening game to announce their arrival on the biggest stage. Although they lost to France in their second group game, their victory over Canada erases any memories of the loss to the hosts.
Before the D’Tigress, African teams were 1-37 in the Games, and the victory over the Canadians has seen them make history as the first African team to win more than one game in an Olympics outing.
“I am going to get emotional. I mean, oh jeez – trust the process, keep fighting, keep pushing,” Wakama said with a smile on her face as she was reminded by her team’s historic feat.
“I have always been a fighter growing up. You tell me I can’t do something, and I am going to tell you that I can.
“I hope young girls are watching this. I wanted to be the first, but I don’t want to be the last. If we invest in Africa, we are capable of doing really amazing things. We have to put some eyes on Africa and develop the game there and it starts with grassroots. it will make the game so much better.”
Wakama, who was visibly angry after Nigeria lost to France, added that her side needed that defeat to put them back on track. Adding that she’s been pleased with their performance, the former Nigerian international reiterated that there’s no pressure on her team.
“I am glad we did have that loss [against France] because we were able to get back to what we do best. Also, there’s no pressure now on us and we have shown everyone that we deserve to be playing here.”
“When we are focused on something and when we all come together, we are powerful. Our whole team, support staff, and coaches, we have the same mindset – a winning mindset,” she concluded.
The D’Tigress ended Group B with five points after two wins and one defeat, and they will have to wait to confirm their quarterfinals opponent.
