D’Tigress of Nigeria have made history by qualifying for the quarter-finals of the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Nigerian team secured their spot with a 79-70 victory over Canada in their final group game at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Sunday.
This remarkable win marks D’Tigress’ first-ever appearance in the Olympic basketball quarter-finals. The team advanced through the group stage with five classification points, currently sitting at the top of their group. They await the outcome of the match between France and Australia later in the day to confirm their final standing.
Under the leadership of head coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress showed resilience and skill, rebounding from a previous loss to France. The game against Canada was tightly contested, with the first quarter ending in an 18-18 draw. Canada gained a slight edge in the second quarter, leading 41-37 at halftime.
However, the tide turned in the third quarter, with D’Tigress stifling the Canadian offense, limiting them to just five points. The Nigerian team maintained their momentum in the final quarter, delivering a superior performance that secured a historic nine-point victory.
