Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, aims to continue their impressive form at the Paris 2024 Olympics as they face hosts France in their second Group B game on Thursday,
The African champions, ranked 12th in the world, delivered a stellar performance at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium, defeating the world’s third-ranked team, Australia, 75-62 in their opening game, breaking a 20-year Olympic winless streak.
Thursday’s game is anticipated to be fiercely contested, but the Nigerian team, buoyed by their opening victory, appears ready for the challenge.
Making their second consecutive appearance at the Olympics, after participating in Tokyo 2020, the African champions seek to achieve their first-ever successive wins at the event.
D’Tigress head coach, Rena Wakama is expected to start with the same lineup that triumphed over the Opals on Monday. Returning point guard Ezinne Kalu, 2023 Afrobasket MVP and team captain Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Promise Amukamara all delivered outstanding performances in their opening game.
Nigeria will once again rely on the exceptional talents of Okonkwo and Kalu for inspiration. Kalu brought her A-game, scoring 19 points, grabbing five rebounds, and providing five assists against Australia.
If both players perform strongly in the frontcourt, it will be crucial, especially with D’Tigress riding high on their historic victory on Monday. Additional strength under the basket will come from Murjanatu Musa, whose size and power will be vital, along with Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah.
Following the game against Australia, Coach Wakama sent a clear message to their rivals, emphasizing their determination to win. “We’ve come a long way, and we’re not stopping for anybody,” Wakama said. “This victory is just the beginning. We respect all our opponents, but we fear none. Our sights are set on the gold, and we will fight for it with everything we have.”
The knockout stage of the games will be held at the Bercy Arena in Paris, with the final scheduled for August 11.
