D’Tigress of Nigeria have made history by becoming the first African team ever (male or female) to win two games and advance to the quarterfinal of the women’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The team secured their place with a 79-70 victory over Canada in their final group game at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, on August 4, 2024.
This victory marks D’Tigress’s first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of the Olympic basketball tournament (2024 Paris Olympics). Nigeria navigated the group stage impressively, earning five classification points to top the standings.
Under the leadership of coach Rena Wakama, D’Tigress showed resilience and determination. After a win against Australia in their first game and a loss to France in their second, they bounced back strongly against Canada.
The match began evenly, with the first quarter ending in an 18-18 tie. Canada edged ahead in the second quarter, leading 41-37 at halftime. However, the third quarter saw a dramatic shift as Nigeria’s defense stifled the Canadians, who managed only five points. D’Tigress sealed their historic win with a dominant performance in the final quarter, securing a 9-point victory.
