Nigeria’s women basketball team, D’Tigress, put up a spirited display against top-ranked Team USA before losing 74-88 in a quarter-final clash at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
A’ja Wilson led the Americans in scoring with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Jackie Young posted 15 points and Breanna Stewart added 13 points as the gold medal favourites outclassed Nigeria.
An eighth quarter-final win at the Olympics, this ranked as the lowest margin of the lot for the US, thanks in part to Nigeria outscoring them 26-12 in the fourth quarter.
Promise Amukamara led Nigeria’s scoring with 19 points and two assists. Amy Okonkwo had 17 points, seven rebounds and shot 100% from the free-throw line.
Ezinne Kalu also starred with 16 points and seven assists for D’Tigress who were down by as much as 30 points during the game before making a late rally that proved futile.
“This team is one of a kind. I am blessed to be a part of this team and this group. These girls never give up and they always keep fighting through any adversity,” D’Tigress’ Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah said after the match.
The 27-year-old added, “We are going out, but I think we are not going out on any kind of negative note. I think we accomplished something big this year and we need to build on this for the future.”
While Nigeria head home with pride by being the first ever African (women’s or men’s) team to reach the quarter-final stage, Team USA will face Australia next in the semi-final. Host nation France will face Belgium in the other semi-final.
Their performance demonstrated their tenacity and skill on the global stage. In the group stage, D’Tigress achieved remarkable victories, defeating the world’s third-ranked team Australia and securing a thrilling win over the fifth-ranked Canadian team.
Coach Rena Wakama deserves immense praise for her leadership and strategic acumen. Under her guidance, D’Tigress not only made history but also played with an inspiring level of passion and determination.
What a run D’Tigress have had at Paris 2024 Olympics. They made a nation dream, and there’s no shame in losing to the world’s number one ranked team.