Rena Wakama isn’t mincing words as D’Tigress brace for a high-stakes AfroBasket 2025 quarter-final battle against Cameroon this Thursday, August 1, in Abidjan. The head coach has told her players to raise their intensity and treat the clash as a war for survival, not just another game.
Both teams are yet to taste defeat in the tournament, but Wakama believes Nigeria’s title defense can only stay intact with improved execution and mental sharpness. “This is the business end of the tournament. We know what’s at stake, and the message to the girls is simple: we must be ruthless, we must be clinical,” she said during the pre-match press briefing.
D’Tigress, the reigning champions, have dominated the continent since 2017, winning four consecutive AfroBasket titles and carrying a remarkable 24-game unbeaten streak into this quarter-final. Cameroon, on the other hand, are powered by home-based talent and French league stars and have shown grit throughout the group stage.
Wakama stressed the importance of stepping up from previous performances, noting that while Nigeria’s group-stage victories were solid, the team must now tap into their championship DNA. “Every pass, every rebound, every foul shot matters now. There’s no room for complacency,” she warned.
The rivalry between both nations adds spice to Thursday’s match-up. Cameroon’s Lady Lions last reached the AfroBasket final in 2015 but were stopped by Senegal. With their fanbase behind them in Abidjan, they’re desperate to break Nigeria’s hold on the title and return to the summit.
Key players like Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, and Nicole Enabosi will be vital for Nigeria, while Cameroon will be counting on Marguerite Effa and Ramses Lonlack to unsettle the champions. All eyes will be on Wakama’s tactical adjustments as she seeks to outwit her counterpart.
Tip-off is set for 5 PM WAT, and the winner will move on to face either Mali or Angola in the semi-final. For D’Tigress, the mission is clear: defend the crown, but first, survive the Lions’ den.
