In a historic moment for Nigerian basketball, D’Tigress, the national women’s basketball team, has qualified for the women’s basketball tournament quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On Sunday, the team clinched their place with a 79-70 victory over Canada in their final group game at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France.
This victory marks D’Tigress’s first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball tournament, making them the first African team, men’s or women’s, to reach this stage. Nigeria navigated the group stage impressively, earning five classification points to top the standings, with France set to play Australia later in the day.
Under the leadership of coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress showed remarkable resilience and determination throughout the tournament. After an opening win against Australia and a subsequent loss to France, they bounced back strongly against Canada.
Game Breakdown:
First Quarter:
The match began evenly, with both teams showing strong defensive and offensive play. The first quarter ended in an 18-18 tie, setting the tone for a closely contested game.
Read: Everything You Need to Know About the Olympics
Second Quarter:
Canada edged ahead in the second quarter, outscoring Nigeria 23-19 and leading 41-37 at halftime. The Canadians’ renewed zest posed a challenge for D’Tigress, who had to regroup during the break.
Third Quarter:
The third quarter saw a dramatic shift as Nigeria’s defense stifled the Canadians, who managed only five points. Ezinne Kalu was instrumental in this turnaround, rallying the team and leading them to a 23-5 score in the third quarter, which put Nigeria in a strong position.
Fourth Quarter:
Despite a late fightback from Canada, D’Tigress maintained their composure and held on to their lead. They sealed the victory with a dominant performance, securing a nine-point win at 79-70. Ezinne Kalu’s stellar play, both offensively and defensively, was a key factor in the team’s success.
Read: 2024 Olympics: 10 Africans That Have Made History at the Olympics
Social Media and Community Reaction
FIBA’s official Twitter account highlighted the significance of this victory, calling it the “biggest upset of the Olympics so far.” The account praised D’Tigress for their exceptional performance against a basketball powerhouse like Australia and their continued excellence against Canada.
Looking Ahead At The Olympics
With this milestone achievement, D’Tigress have firmly established themselves as a growing force on the international stage. The Nigerian team, three-time Women’s Afrobasket Champions, now faces a tough test against the USA in the quarterfinals. This upcoming match will undoubtedly be another significant challenge, but D’Tigress’s performance so far has shown they are ready to compete with the best.
Coach Rena Wakama and her team have made their country proud, and the entire nation will be cheering them on as they continue their historic journey at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The journey of D’Tigress at the Paris Olympics has been nothing short of inspiring. Their ability to bounce back from a loss, their defensive prowess, and the leadership of key players like Ezinne Kalu have all contributed to this historic achievement. As they prepare for their quarterfinal matchup against the USA, the team’s spirit and determination will be their greatest assets.
Congratulations to D’Tigress for making history and advancing to the quarterfinals. The entire African continent and basketball fans worldwide will be watching closely as they continue to defy the odds and aim for Olympic glory.