Nigeria's French assistant coach Wani Muganguzi (Front) and Nigeria's players and staff pose as they celebrate after winning the women's preliminary round group B basketball match against Canada. (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)
The Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, secured a historic victory over Canada to advance to the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball event.
It was the first time an African team, male or female, has progressed beyond the group phase in Olympic basketball history.
Despite an earlier loss to France in their second game, D’Tigress returned to winning ways with a decisive 79-70 success against the fifth-ranked Canadians in their final Group B match.
Ezinne Kalu led the charge with 21 points, while Elizabeth Balogun delivered a standout performance with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Team captain Amy Okonkwo credited a critical half-time discussion for their turnaround.
“I am so proud of us. The last game wasn’t good for us, and even in the first half, we were not doing what we wanted to come out and do.
“We had a talk with ourselves and realised it was win or go home, and we decided we wanted to stay,” she said.
