D’Tigress of Nigeria have made history by qualifying for the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The team secured their place with a 79-70 victory over Canada in their final group game at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, on Sunday.
This victory marks D’Tigress’s first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball tournament. 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 resilience and determination. After a win against Australia in their first game and a loss to France in their second, they bounced back strongly against Canada.
The match began evenly, with the first quarter ending in an 18-18 tie. Canada edged ahead in the second quarter, leading 41-37 at halftime. However, the third quarter saw a dramatic shift as Nigeria’s defense stifled the Canadians, who managed only five points. D’Tigress sealed their historic win with a dominant performance in the final quarter, securing a 9-point victory.
This milestone achievement for D’Tigress highlights their growing prowess on the international stage and sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal matchup.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
