●Coach Rena says, ‘We’re ready.’
By Pius Ayinor
African champions Nigeria’s D’Tigress will start their qualifying campaign at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament against Colombia. The game is set for 2pm at the Villeurbanne Sports Arena in Lyon, France, on Wednesday.
The Nigerian girls have continued to build a strong reputation as a major force in World basketball, and the game against Colombia is seen by them as a perfect way to build momentum ahead of the World Cup.
Coach Rena Wakama’s team are highly focused on making the best out of the qualifying tournament in Lyon despite having already qualified for the main event, the World Cup in Berlin, Germany, in September, as African champions.
Nigeria and Colombia are meeting for the first time in the history of women’s basketball.
The Nigerian girls who have remained African champions since 2017 and have not lost a match to an African team in the last 10 years are getting better with every competition.
The African champions who landed in France on Monday quickly got into the marks as the Coach Rena Wakama with a training programme the same day.
Coach Rena spoke on the team’s readiness on Tuesday.
She said, “Our preparations have been intense, and this tournament here in Lyon is an important part of that process. It allows us to test ourselves against strong competition and evaluate where we are as a team.
“The players have shown great commitment, discipline, and hunger, so I believe we’re moving in the right direction as we prepare for the World Cup in Germany.”
She explained the composition of her team as a mix of experience, youth, and dynamism, which she described as a balanced team.
“What’s different this time is the balance we have within the squad. We have a strong core of experienced players who understand the expectations and the culture of D’Tigress, and at the same time, we’ve integrated some younger talents who bring fresh energy and competitiveness. Tactically, we’re also evolving, that’s focusing on faster transitions, stronger defensive communication, and better team chemistry.”
She then addressed the expectations of the millions of Nigerians.
“With everything going on in the world today, we are proud to have the opportunity to play the game we love. The World Cup qualifiers are the only professional women’s basketball games being played and televised in the world this week.
“Representing Nigeria means a lot to every player on this roster, and we want to make our supporters proud. They will see a team that fights for every possession, plays unselfish basketball, and never gives up. Our goal is to compete strongly, showcase the growth of Nigerian women’s basketball, and continue building on the legacy of D’Tigress on the global stage.”
Eyes will be on forward Amy Okonkwo, who has been named amongst the top ten rated players in the tournament. The 29-year-old and 6ft, 2in tall player’s game has risen to astounding levels, so much so that she won back-to-back Tissot MVP awards at the AfroBasket.
Ezinne Kalu is also one of the players to watch out for during the tournament.
Born 35 years ago and standing at 5ft 8in tall, Kalu has remained a stalwart for D’Tigress over the years. Playing as a guard, Kalu, can and will still give the necessary fire that Nigeria will desire as they tune up ahead of their date in Berlin. A tour de force for her country at Paris 2024, she will direct the traffic in the backcourt and use her experience to make sure her team performs at a high level.
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