In their opening match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nigeria’s D’Tigress achieved a stunning 75-62 victory over the Opals of Australia at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
Under the leadership of Rena Wakama, the Nigerian team delivered a remarkable performance, marking their first Olympic win since Athens 2004.
In that previous Olympic appearance, Nigeria secured a win against South Korea in a classification game after their early exit from the main competition.
Despite being ranked 12th, compared to Australia’s 3rd place in the power rankings, the D’Tigress defied expectations with a dynamic start.
From the opening whistle, Nigeria dominated, with key players Murjanatu Musa, Ezinne Kalu, and Amy Okonkwo exhibiting exceptional skills.
They aggressively pursued loose balls and executed shots with precision, pushing Nigeria to a narrow 18-17 lead by the end of the first quarter.
By halftime, the D’Tigress had extended their advantage to 41-28.
Ezinne Kalu was particularly impressive, sinking three-pointers with finesse, while Murjanatu Musa contributed with crucial blocks and steals, forcing numerous turnovers against the Australians.
Though the Opals mounted a comeback effort in the third quarter and early in the fourth, the D’Tigress remained resilient and secured a historic victory.
Looking ahead, the Nigerian team will face France in their second Group B game on Thursday, aiming to build on their impressive start.
