D’Tigress Make History, Beat Canada 79-70 To Reach First Olympics Quarterfinals

On Sunday, August 4, the Nigerian senior female basketball team, D’Tigress, sensationally beat their Canadian opponents by 79-70 to reach their first-ever quarterfinals of the Olympic games.

The Nigerian side made history in their last Group B match of the Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium, France.

The game was at a stalemate with both sides sharing 18 points each at the end of the first quarter.

Going into the second quarter, the D’Tigress trailed behind their Canadian opponents by 41-37.

With their eyes staring at making history and advancing to the last eight of the Olympics tournament, the D’Tigress intensified their attack and led by 55-46 before capping their historic performance with a 79-70 win at the end of the game.

Among the impressive players from the Nigerian side was their point guard and three-time Afrobasket champion, Ezinne Kalu, who was seen almost everywhere on the court, scoring 21 points.

The win was a proud moment for head coach Rene Wakama who had charged the African champions to get back to their ways before their game against Canada.