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Olympics female basketball pairings PHOTO: FIBA
PHOTO: FIBA
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will face the US team on Wednesday after making history by qualifying for the quarter-final of the basketball event in the ongoing Paris Olympic Games.
D’Tigress became the first African team, male and female, to reach the quarter finals in the Olympics.
The African champions defeated fifth-ranked Canada 79-70 in the last Group B game at the Paris 2024 Olympics in France on Sunday.
The ESPN and other global media have given plaudits to the D’Tigress who upset both Australia and Canada in two feisty contests.
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.
Five-star 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 came second in Group B with France topping the group after beating Australia.
Nigeria lost 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.
Analysts credit the United States flavour in the team as the lubricant in their wheel.
