Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has achieved a remarkable feat at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first African country to qualify for the quarterfinals of the basketball competition.
This historic accomplishment marks a significant milestone for African basketball on the Olympic stage.
In their final group match, D’Tigress secured a hard-fought 79-70 victory over Canada, despite the latter’s higher world ranking. The Nigerian team, led by coach Rena Wakama, started the game strongly, establishing a 10-point lead at one point. However, they allowed Canada to catch up, resulting in an 18-18 tie at the end of the first quarter.
D’Tigress entered halftime still within striking distance, trailing by only four points (41-37). The African champions then staged a remarkable comeback in the third quarter, taking a 55-46 lead. Nigeria ultimately emerged victorious with a 79-70 win, securing their place in the quarterfinals.
This achievement is particularly impressive considering that D’Tigress arrived at the Olympics as the lowest-ranked team (12th) but have now defeated world number 3 Australia and world number 5 Canada to advance to the knockout stage. Players such as Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah played crucial roles in the team’s success.
D’Tigress’ historic qualification marks the first time an African nation, either male or female, has reached the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball competition. This milestone underscores the growth and potential of basketball in Africa and serves as an inspiration for other African teams aspiring to make their mark on the global stage.
As D’Tigress prepares for their quarterfinal matchup against the defending champions, the United States, they will undoubtedly draw strength from their remarkable journey so far. The team’s success has not only made history for Nigeria but also for the entire African continent, showcasing the talent and determination of African basketball players on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
First ever African team (Men or Women) to play in #Olympics 🏀Basketball Quarter-Finals.
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Full Time Result: Nigeria🇳🇬 79-70 Canada🇨🇦
🇳🇬NGR: 18 19 23 19
🇨🇦CAN: 18 23 5 24AdvertisementNigeria’s D’Tigress🇳🇬 have just… pic.twitter.com/VPghwZT3xm
— Olt Sports (@oltsport_) August 4, 2024
