Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, secured a historic victory against Australia in their opening match of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The game, which took place on Monday, July 29, at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium, ended with a 75-62 scoreline, marking D’Tigress’ first Olympic win since the Athens 2004 Games.
The Nigerian team, coached by Rena Wakama, entered the match as the 12th-ranked team globally, facing the formidable Australian side, which ranked 3rd. Despite the disparity in rankings, D’Tigress edged out Australia 18-17 in the first quarter and extended their lead to 41-28 by halftime.
Ezinne Kalu was a standout performer, contributing 19 points to Nigeria’s total. Her precision and agility on the court were complemented by the efforts of teammates Murjanatu Musa and Amy Okonkwo, who secured loose balls and executed crucial shots.
Although the Australian team, known as the Opals, made a strong comeback attempt in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to 51-47, D’Tigress maintained their composure. The final quarter saw the Nigerian team reaffirm their dominance, ultimately sealing the game with a 13-point margin.
This victory is particularly significant as it ends a long Olympic drought for D’Tigress, whose last win came against South Korea in a classification game at the Athens 2004 Olympics.
Coach Rena Wakama expressed pride in her team’s performance, stating: “This win is a testament to the dedication and spirit of these incredible athletes. They have shown the world what Nigerian basketball is capable of,” she said.
Looking ahead, D’Tigress will face France in their second Group B game on Thursday.
