D’TIGRESS: THE WOMAN LEADING NIGERIA’S BASKETBALL REIGN

August 5, 2025August 5, 2025

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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have become a force to reckon with on the African continent, having dominated the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket tournament for several years. Behind their growing legacy are three standout figures: Coach Rena Wakama, MVP Amy Okonkwo, and Captain Sarah Ogoke each playing a pivotal role in the team’s success story.

Coach Rena Wakama: A Trailblazer on the Sidelines

In 2023, Rena Wakama made history as the first female head coach to win the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket. The former D’Tigress player returned to lead the national team and immediately left her mark, guiding Nigeria to another Afrobasket crown and extending their dominance in the competition.

Wakama, just in her early 30s, brings both passion and precision to the sidelines. Her coaching style is built on speed, pressure defense, and team chemistry. She not only commands respect for her tactical brilliance but also connects with her players on a personal level having once worn the same jersey.

Her achievement signaled a new era, breaking barriers for female coaches in Africa and inspiring a new generation of women in sports leadership.