D’Tigress Stun Australia with Historic Victory at Olympics

July 30, 2024 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

Nigeria’s basketball team makes history with a great win at the Olympics.

Nigeria’s women’s team, D’Tigress, won an emphatic victory over Australia, the 3rd highest-ranked team in the women’s basketball tournament at the Olympics. D’Tigress won the match 75-62 against the Opals in a thrilling match on Monday. The team had suffered a setback with the loss of captain Sarah Ogoke, who opted out of the team due to personal reasons. The team, however, showed a strong mentality by stepping up to the task at hand to deliver a memorable game.

The Nigerian outfit had never been lucky at world competitions. They had failed to qualify for several World Cup tournaments and had to withdraw from the 2022 tournament due to a Nigerian government order.

D'Tigress team

All of these did not stop the team from producing some of their best basketball against a high-ranked and more seasoned team. The team was incredibly good defensively and just as good offensively. They also made 15 steals, a joint-high for them in the competition, tied with the 15 they made against Greece in 2004, and also made a combined nine 3-pointers, more than in any of their previous nine games at the Olympics. They won three out of the four quarters, including a stunning 11-0 run that gave them a 13-point lead in the first quarter.

Ezinne Kalu, who last played for the team 3 years ago at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, was superb. Ezinne produced a game-high 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Her relentless attack proved to be pivotal to the success of the team. Australia was stronger in the second half to win the third quarter 19-10, but Amy Okonkwo riffled home a 3-pointer to help Nigeria keep their lead.

D’Tigress produced their best defensive performance in a world competition. The 62 points conceded were the lowest they have ever conceded in a world competition. Coach Rena Wakama expressed great joy and pride after the game.

Nigeria became the first African country to defeat Australia in 12 games at a major tournament. Before this win, D’Tigress had never won a pool game at the Olympics; their last nine games ended in losses. D’Tigress is the lowest-ranked team in the tournament; they are grouped with Australia, Canada, and France, whom they face next. The Nigerian team looks highly spirited and determined; they will be hoping to go far into the tournament if not win it. D’Tigress have a huge chance of writing another great chapter in the history books if they win against France.