Coach Rena Wakama has reflected on the fast approaching 2023 FIBA AfroBasket with optimism. This is even as she expressed joy at being the first woman to manage the African champions, further revealing how she got the job to lead D’Tigress to FIBA AfroBasket.
Wakama, 31, speaking on how she landed the job of the head coach of D’Tigress in an interview with a national daily said she got it after the team’s general manager contacted and encouraged her to apply.
“I was contacted by Musa (Adamu), the team’s general manager. And from that I got to know there was an opening for the Nigeria national team job and was asked if I was interested in going through the interview process with some other candidates.”
She added, “Of course, I was interested and there were series of interviews and calls from different people. That’s how I got here finally. And I thank God for this opportunity to coach the national team and being the first woman to lead the national team,” she said.
D’Tigress have won the FIBA Afrobasket three consecutive times and have not lost a match since 2017. This proves that they’re the team to beat at the competition and Rena will have a lot to do to be able to meet up with expectation of winning the fourth consecutive title for Nigeria.
The 2023 AfroBasket Women will be the 26th edition of the tournament and will be held from July 28 to August 6, 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.
D’Tigress are in Group D with Egypt and DR Congo. The five times African champions will trade tackles with DR Congo at BK Arena, Kigali on 30th July at 11:30am before taking on Egypt on 31st July in the second and last group game at the same venue at 3pm.
