Nigeria’s senior female basketball team, D’Tigress, made history on Sunday by defeating Canada 79-70 to reach their first-ever quarterfinals at the Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The victory marks a monumental achievement for Nigerian basketball, as the D’Tigress become the first African basketball team, male or female, to reach the Olympic quarterfinals.
D’Tigress, three-time Women’s Afrobasket Champions, faced a tough challenge against the North Americans, ranked 5th in the world. Determined to overcome their previous loss to France, the Nigerian team knew a win was crucial.
The game started strongly for D’Tigress, who initially took a 10-point lead. However, the Canadians managed to level the score by the end of the first quarter, resulting in an 18-18 tie. At halftime, Nigeria was trailing by only four points, 41-37.
In the third quarter, the African champions rallied and took a 55-46 lead. Despite a late fightback from Canada in the fourth quarter, D’Tigress maintained their composure and secured a 79-70 victory.
Rena Wakama’s side’s journey to the quarterfinals has been a testament to their resilience and determination. With the victory,
D’Tigress now look forward to their quarter-final match, aiming to continue their remarkable journey at the 2024 Olympics.
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