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Head coach of the national women’s basketball team, Rene Wakama, is over the moon after D’Tigress stunned Canada 79-70 in their last Group B game on Sunday in Lille to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics Women’s Basketball Tournament, The PUNCH reports.
The African champions became the first African team in history (men or women) to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games in the event.
René Wakama’s charges produced one of the most defining moments in Olympic basketball history when they shredded every pre-tournament prediction and expectation to make it to that stage, claiming the scalp of higher-ranked Australia and Canada in the process and winning twice as many games as African teams had won in the previous near half a century.
Wakama, who has done an amazing job holding the coaching reins, shared her excitement in a post-match interview with FIBA.com.
She said, “It’s surreal, and I don’t think it’s going to hit me yet for another couple of hours.
“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.
“I am going to get emotional. I mean, oh jeez—trust the process, keep fighting, keep pushing.
“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 his 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.
“When we are focused on something and when we all come together, we are powerful. Our whole team, support staff, and coaches have the same mindset—a winning mindset.
“I am glad we did have that loss 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.”
Nigeria made a bright start to their campaign with a 75-64 blowout of Australia, lost with the same margin to France in their second game, and played their game as Wakama promised they would do to secure a 79-70 win over Canada.
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