Paris 2024: D’Tigress stun Canada to seal historic Olympics quarter-final berth

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history by qualifying for the quarter-final of the basketball event in the ongoing Paris Olympic Games.

The African champions defeated fifth-ranked Canada 79-70 in the last Group B game at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France on Sunday.

Rena Wakama’s side won just one out of four quarters after an 18-18 draw at the end of the first quarter.

Canada won the second quarter 23-19 before D’Tigress’ resurgence in the third quarter with a 23-5 win.

They won the match in spite of a 24-19 loss in the final and fourth quarter.

Ezinne Kalu brought her best to play as she emerged the top performer of the match with 21 points, three rebounds, and two assists, ahead of Canada’s Colley with 17 points, a rebound, and an assist.

D’Tigress moved to the top of Group B with five points ahead of France with four points and an outstanding match against Australia.

The winner of the match between host France and Australia would join Nigeria in the quarter-final.

It has been a tale of highs and lows for D’Tigress, which also defeated FIBA third ranked team, Australia 75-62, before losing 75-54 to host France in their second game.

Wakama, who made history as the first woman coach to win the Afrobasket title, continues to put her name in basketball history with this latest feat.