By In a stunning turn of events at the 2024 Olympics, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, pulled off a major upset by defeating Australia 73-62 in their Group B opener. This victory marks Nigeria’s first Olympic win in women’s basketball in 20 years, shaking up the tournament’s landscape on its first day of competition.
From the opening tip, Nigeria set the tone with aggressive full-court defense, catching the Australian Opals off guard with their length and intensity. The D’Tigress’ strategy paid off handsomely in the first half, limiting Australia to just 28 points, including a meager 11 in the second quarter. Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu emerged as the star of the half, pouring in 17 points including four three-pointers, helping her team build a surprising 41-28 lead at the break.
Australia, bronze medalists at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, mounted a comeback in the second half. Alana Smith led the charge with 15 points on efficient 6-of-9 shooting, bringing the Opals within one possession multiple times in the fourth quarter. However, Nigeria’s resilience proved too much for the Australians to overcome.
Despite shooting only 35% from the field, Nigeria’s defensive prowess was the key to their victory. The D’Tigress forced an astounding 26 turnovers, leading to a significant 68-55 shot advantage. In the crucial final six minutes, Nigeria’s defense tightened further, holding Australia to just six points. Amy Okonkwo sealed the win with clutch three-pointers, including a dagger that extended Nigeria’s lead to seven points late in the game.
This victory dramatically improves Nigeria’s chances of reaching the knockout stage for the first time in Olympic history. However, challenges remain in a tough Group B that includes Canada and host nation France. Nigeria’s next game is against France on Thursday, August 1, while Australia will face Canada in a must-win game to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
The implications of this result extend beyond just one game. It signals a potential shift in the global basketball landscape, with Nigeria emerging as a force to be reckoned with. For Australia, a traditionally strong team in women’s basketball, this loss serves as a wake-up call and puts immense pressure on their upcoming matches.
As the women’s basketball tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Nigeria to see if they can build on this historic victory and make a deep run in the Olympics. Meanwhile, Australia must quickly regroup and find answers to avoid an early elimination from a competition where they were considered medal contenders.
This upset sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable Olympic women’s basketball tournament, where traditional powerhouses can no longer take any opponent for granted.
