D’Tigress are the first African nation ever to reach the last eight of an Olympic basketball tournament after their 79-70 feat over Canada on Sunday
You will recall that D’Tigress finished in Group B and qualified in the category of best third place finishers.
The USA, however topped their group games in a clear finish subduing Japan, Belgium, and Germany to its prowess.
The USA team has put the Coach Rena Wakama’s side on their toes despite D’Tigress history making success at the Afrobasket and the Olympics as the first coach to lead an African basketball
In an interview with the Press, Rena Wakama talked about the mood of the team towards the game to be played later today. Rena’s response was precise saying
” We look forward to playing with the best of the best”
Nigeria’s D’Tigress will face reigning USA champions in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympics women’s basketball competition later today.
Rena Wakama who has in a previous match said the reason for France’s defeat was because her Team did not follow instructions confirmed to the Press that all that was in the past and they have seen their mistakes and efforts have been made to ensure these are corrected.
She added that once the ‘Girls’ are physically fit, communicate rightly, do a good job in the field of play, watch each other’s back, do what’s got to be done the should have a good game.
According to Rena Wakama this can be achieved by making every possession. important and valuable.
She added that defending to a high level when it comes to rebound and keeping the scores close may be a step in the right direction for her side.
The D’Tigress Coach said The magic is persistence, discipline and doing the little things at the right time
Wakama sounded confident that with 5 games in between Antwerp and today’s game, 3 friendlies and 3 matches she believes that D’Tigress will take the game further.
Wakama cleared the air saying the team that played against the USA in Antwerp, Belgium is different from the team that will take on the USA today.
Wakama added that alot of innovation, intensity, experience has been put to play not forgetting the recent inclusion of quality platters like Ezinne Kalu
Rene Wakama said
She feels great to be the first African Coach to get to the finals of the Olympics and is grateful to everyone that helped her get here.
Commenting on her looks on a lighter mood Rene Wakama says she attributes it to her Mother who always insist on one looking near and good