‘I am proud of my girls, and I have pushed them so hard,’ says D’Tigress coach, Wakama
D’Tigress head coach Rene Wakama says she is proud of what her girls have done after they made history as the first African team to qualify for the quarterfinal of the basketball event at the Olympics.
In an interview with FIBA, Wakama reveals how hard she pushed the team to get the best out the ladies.
“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.”
Wakama is left struggling to get her words out following the record-breaking exploits and the significance of the victory for Africa as a whole
“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 this. 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,’ she sai via FIBA website.
Wakama says the team learnt from the loss to France and used that experience to unite and get back on track.
“When we are focused on something and when we all come together, we are powerful. Our whole team, support staff, and coaches, we 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,” concluded Wakama.
