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A look at Rena Wakama's remarkable one year as the coach of Nigeria's D'Tigress.
In just one year at the helm of Nigeria's women's national basketball team, D'Tigress, Rena Wakama has written her name in the annals of basketball history with a series of groundbreaking accomplishments.
Wakama's appointment as the first woman head coach of the Nigerian women's national basketball team was just the beginning of her remarkable journey.
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'An amazing achievement!' - Super Eagles star William Troost-Ekong hails D'Tigress' historic Paris 2024 Olympics quarter-final qualification
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She quickly proved her mettle by leading D'Tigress to victory in the 2023 AfroBasket Women's championship, becoming the first woman head coach to clinch this prestigious title.
D'Tigress Historic Olympic Journey
But Wakama's most significant achievement has come at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she guided D'Tigress to the quarter-finals - a first for any African country in Olympic basketball history.
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This historic run included another milestone: Wakama became the first woman basketball head coach of an African country to win a game at the Olympics.
The Olympic performance was particularly noteworthy given Nigeria's previous struggles in the tournament. After group stage exits in 2004 and 2020, D'Tigress' quarter-final appearance in 2024 marked a quantum leap in their Olympic journey.
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Wakama's Impressive Pedigree
Wakama's success is not limited to her coaching career. As a player, she contributed to Nigeria's bronze medal win at the 2015 AfroBasket Women's tournament.
Her experience as a former Director of Women's Basketball Operations at Manhattan College has undoubtedly informed her strategic approach to coaching at the international level.
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In addition to the Olympic success, Wakama's first year saw D'Tigress complete a historic "four-peat" by winning the 2023 AfroBasket.
She also successfully navigated the team through Olympic qualifications, ensuring Nigeria's place in the Paris Games.
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A Remarkable Timeframe
What makes these achievements even more impressive is the timeframe in which they occurred. In just one year, Wakama has:
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- Become the first woman head coach of D'Tigress
- Led Nigeria to its fourth consecutive AfroBasket title
- Qualified the team for the Olympics
- First D'Tigress win in 20 years
- First African side to win two matches at the Olympics
- Guided D'Tigress to their first-ever Olympic quarter-final
- Become the first woman to lead a team to an Afrobasket final
- Become the first woman head coach to win an AfroBasket Women's championship
- Become the first woman head coach to lead an African team to an Olympic basketball victory
A Groundbreaking Legacy
Wakama's incredible first year as D'Tigress coach not only cements her place in basketball history but also paves the way for more women in coaching roles across Africa and beyond.
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As Wakama looks to build on this phenomenal start, the future of Nigerian and African women's basketball appears brighter than ever. Her achievements have set a new standard and have put African women's basketball, especially Nigeria’s, firmly on the global map.
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