On Sunday, August 4, the Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made history by defeating Canada 79-70. This victory secured their place in the quarterfinals for the first time in Olympic history.

The match took place at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in France during the Paris 2024 Olympics. It was the final Group B game of the Women’s Basketball Tournament, and D’Tigress delivered an exceptional performance.

The first quarter ended evenly, with both teams scoring 18 points. As the game progressed into the second quarter, D’Tigress fell behind, trailing Canada 41-37. Despite the setback, the Nigerian team was determined to make history. In the third quarter, they ramped up their efforts, taking the lead with a score of 55-46. They maintained their momentum in the final quarter, ultimately winning the game 79-70.

Ezinne Kalu, a three-time Afrobasket champion, was one of the standout players for D’Tigress. She was everywhere on the court, scoring an impressive 21 points.

Head coach Rene Wakama had urged the team to return to their winning ways before the game against Canada, and they did not disappoint. This victory is a proud moment for D’Tigress and a significant milestone for Nigerian basketball.