D’Tigress Face Coaching Concern As Wakama Remains Away Days Before World Cup

D’Tigress Face Coaching Concern As Wakama Remains Away Days Before World Cup

By Niyi Busari 

With less than two weeks to the start of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, Nigeria’s D’Tigress are preparing for the global tournament without head coach Rena Wakama, who remains in the United States because of her professional commitments with the Chicago Sky, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Wakama, who continues to serve as head coach of the Nigerian national team, is also an assistant coach with the WNBA franchise. The Chicago Sky confirmed her position on their coaching staff in April, with Tyler Marsh as head coach.

Her absence has meant that D’Tigress have continued their World Cup preparations without their head coach on the sidelines. Wakama is expected to rejoin the squad as the team enters the final stretch of its preparations for the tournament.

D’Tigress are currently in Tenerife, Spain, where they have been undergoing the third phase of their preparations. The camp runs until August 24, before the team moves to Zaragoza for its final preparation phase.

Nigeria began its World Cup build-up with a training camp in Chicago from July 29 to August 2 before travelling to China for a three-game exhibition series. The team subsequently moved to Spain for further warm-up matches against some of Europe’s leading teams.

The schedule leaves little room for adjustment. After Tenerife, D’Tigress are expected to continue preparations in Zaragoza, where they will face Mali and Puerto Rico before travelling to Berlin for the World Cup.

The tournament is scheduled to run from September 4 to 13 in Germany.

Mixed Results Ahead of World Cup

D’Tigress have endured a mixed run of results during their preparations, with the latest two games exposing areas that will require attention before the World Cup.

Nigeria suffered an 83–58 defeat to Spain in Tenerife on August 21 before losing 90–55 to Belgium the following day. Belgium's official basketball federation described the victory as a dominant performance, with Emma Meesseman leading all scorers with 20 points.

Before the European games, Nigeria recorded one victory and two defeats in its three-game series against China. D’Tigress lost 70–67 and 69–65 before responding with an 88–77 victory in the final game on August 12.

D’Tigress’ last five completed matches are therefore:

Date| Opponent| Result

August 22| Belgium| Nigeria 55–90 Belgium — L

August 21| Spain| Nigeria 58–83 Spain — L

August 12| China| Nigeria 88–77 China — W

August 9| China| Nigeria 65–69 China — L

August 7| China| Nigeria 67–70 China — L

That leaves Nigeria with one victory and four defeats in its last five games.

The 88–77 victory over China remains the most encouraging result of the recent tour, but the heavy defeats to Spain and Belgium underline the challenge facing the African champions as they approach the World Cup.

Wakama's Return Crucial

Beyond the results, attention will now turn to how quickly Wakama can reconnect with the team and translate the lessons from the preparation games into a coherent game plan.

Her return will be particularly important given her familiarity with the squad and the tactical system that has helped D’Tigress establish themselves as one of Africa’s leading women’s basketball teams.

Nigeria will need to use its remaining preparation window to address defensive lapses, offensive consistency and the problems exposed by the two heavy defeats in Tenerife.

The World Cup provides little margin for error, and D’Tigress will need to enter the competition with their coaching structure, tactical approach and squad fully aligned.

For Wakama, the immediate task will be to reunite with her players and ensure that the team is ready for the biggest challenge of the year.

D’Tigress will open their World Cup campaign in Berlin on September 4, with Nigeria drawn in Group B alongside France, South Korea and Hungary.