Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, made a remarkable exit from the Paris 2024 Olympics, leaving the Summer Games with their heads held high after a historic run. They became the first African team, male or female, to reach the quarter-finals, showcasing their resilience and skill throughout the competition.
In their quarter-final match against the United States, D’Tigress initially matched the defending champions point for point. However, the U.S. team, featuring stars like A’Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, ultimately proved too strong, winning 88-74. Despite the loss, D’Tigress’s performance was commendable; they surged in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Americans 26-12, but it was too late to change the outcome of the game
The journey to the quarter-finals was historic for D’Tigress, who had previously struggled on the global stage. In their opening game, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, triumphed over world No. 3 Australia with a score of 75-62. This victory represents Nigeria’s first Olympic win in women’s basketball since 2004.
The team proceeded to the quarter-final of the 2024 Paris Olympics. after defeating No. 5 Canada in 79-70 win at the Villeneuve d’ASCQ Arena in Lille making them the first African basketball team, male or female, to reach the final eight in an Olympic competition.
Coach Rena Wakama, the first female head coach of the team, has been pivotal in their resurgence, emphasizing the importance of building on this success for future competitions. In just over a year as the first female head coach of D’Tigress, Wakama led the team to victory at AfroBasket last year and secured their qualification for the Olympics in February.
Players like Ezinne Kalu and Promise Amukamara emerged as key figures, with Kalu averaging 19.3 points per game throughout the tournament. Their collective effort has not only put Nigeria on the map in women’s basketball but has also inspired a new generation of players across Africa.
