Nigeria’s female basketball team, D’Tigress has become the first African team (men and women) ever to reach the quarter-finals of the ongoing 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. This is after their 79-70 win over Canada.
TheMediaGood Newspaper can report that D’Tigress emerged out of the tough group phase with two wins after achieving an historic 75-62 win over world no. 3, Australia in their first match some days ago before falling to a loss to hosts, France. This victory against Canada marks a significant milestone for the 32-year-old Rena Wakama-tutored side.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) recorded about the D’Tigress towering effort, ‘African women teams combined for only 1 win over 37 games in Olympics before. Nigeria in Paris 2024: 2 wins in 3 games. This is history.’
This impressive victory condemns winless Canada to an early exit in the Paris 2024 Olympics. After a tie of 18-18 in the 1st quarter of the game, the turning point came with a decisive 11-0 run to start the second half, which left Canada unable to recover. Ezinne Kalu was a standout performer, scoring 21 points, while Elizabeth Balogun added 14 points and crucial rebounds.
Nigeria capitalized on Canadian errors, scoring 27 points from turnovers. The team’s rugged defense and physical play make them a formidable opponent for anyone in the quarter-finals, showcasing their potential to challenge any team in the tournament.
This historic achievement highlights Nigeria’s growing prominence in international basketball and sets a new benchmark for African teams at the Olympics.