Sports
D’Tigress advanced to the Olympics quarterfinals after defeating Canada.
At the Paris Olympics 2024, the Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, created history when they defeated Canada 79-70 to go to the round of eight.
They achieved a historic first by becoming the first African team, male or female, to compete in an Olympic quarterfinal.
Nigeria, three times North American women’s Afrobasket Champions, ranked fifth in the world, presented a formidable challenge.
The D’Tigress were determined to win so they could move on from their defeat to France.
Both teams fought for dominance in the first quarter, but at the conclusion of 18–18, there was nothing separating them.
But the Canadian side entered the second quarter with some newfound vigor, and they ultimately concluded the quarter with a 23-19 victory.
Ezunne Kalu was the player coach Rena Wakama was most looking up to to instill confidence in the D’Tigress, and she did not let her down as she led the team to victory in the third quarter, 23-5.
The Nigerian team maintained their nine-point advantage in the face of a late comeback by Canada in the fourth quarter.