In a historic achievement, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics. This milestone marks the first time any African basketball team, male or female, has reached this stage in the Olympic Games. The landmark victory came after a hard-fought 79-70 win over Canada in their final Group B game.
D’Tigress, who secured their first Olympic basketball victory in 20 years during their opening game, have continued to defy expectations, etching their names in history with each passing match. Their remarkable performance in Paris reflects not just their talent but also their determination to break new ground for African basketball.
Before the 2024 Olympics, African women’s basketball teams had a record of only one win in 37 Olympic matches. D’Tigress has now significantly improved this statistic by winning two games in the highly competitive Group B.
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Star forward Ezinne Kalu led the team with 21 points and two assists in the decisive game against Canada. Elizabeth Balogun also made a significant contribution, adding 14 points and three assists. Their efforts were instrumental in securing the victory that propelled the team into the quarterfinals.
Amy Okonkwo, another key player, expressed her pride in the team’s achievement. “I am so proud of us. The last game wasn’t good for us, and even in the first half today, we were not doing what we wanted to come out and do. We had a talk with ourselves and realized it was win or go home, and we decided we wanted to stay,” she said, reflecting on the team’s resilience and determination.
The Nigerian team’s triumph over the fifth-ranked team in the world demonstrates their relentless pursuit of excellence and their potential to achieve even greater success. With only two more strong performances needed to secure a place on the Olympic podium, D’Tigress is poised to continue their historic run and bring home a medal.
As they prepare for the quarterfinals, the team carries the hopes of a continent eager to see its athletes excel on the world stage. Nigeria’s women’s basketball team has not only made history but also inspired countless fans and future athletes across Africa and beyond.
