Nigeria’s D’Tigress have started their Paris 2024 Olympics campaign on an impressive note, stunning world number three Australia in the women’s basketball event of the Games.
The Nigerian girls won the Monday basketball encounter 75-62 in the French city of Lille.
Biggest upset of the Olympics so far? 🤯
Nigeria 🇳🇬 take down Australia 🇦🇺 for a massive #Paris2024 debut! #Basketball pic.twitter.com/i1FAgY66qW
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 29, 2024
ROAAAAAR!!!! pic.twitter.com/wl36xA5cTg
— DTigress (@DtigressNG) July 29, 2024
The D’Tigress finished the first half on a high note, with an 11-0 run that gave them a 13-point lead. That proved sufficient to keep the Opals of Australia at bay, with Amy Okonkwo scoring a triple to improve things for coach Rena Wakama’s charges.
Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu scored 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in her return to the team since the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Nigeria scored 26 points because to the Opals’ 26 turnovers during the game.
Nigeria’s victory on Monday is their second in the Women’s Olympic Basketball event. The first came in 2004, when they defeated South Korea 68–64. But this is the D’Tigress’ first win in nine preliminary rounds.
Australia suffered their second defeat in the opening game of a Women’s Olympic Basketball event. They had won their previous six games.
Nigeria has become the first African country to overcome Australia in 12 World Cup and Olympics games.
