Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will face defending champions USA in the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The quarter-final pairings were determined after the group stage matches were concluded on Sunday.
D’Tigress made history as the first African basketball team (male or female) to reach the Olympic quarter-finals, delivering remarkable performances in the group stage.
Led by Rena Wakama, the team secured impressive victories against Australia and Canada.
Nigeria outclassed Australia with a 13-point margin, 75-62, in their Group B opener on Monday, July 29, marking their first Olympic win in 20 years.
Although the Nigerian ladies lost to France 75-54 in the second group game, they bounced back to defeat Canada 79-70 on Sunday.
The USA won all their group matches, finishing at the top of the standings with victories over Japan, Belgium, and Germany.
D’Tigress’ ability to cause an upset might be their saving grace when they meet the defending champions on Wednesday.
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The two teams have met four times in the last six years, with their last meeting at the Olympics qualifiers resulting in a 100-46 win for the USA.
Nigeria are scheduled to face the nine time Olympic gold medalist on Wednesday, August 7, at 9:30pm Nigerian time.
Serbia, who reached the semifinals at the last Olympics, will face Australia also in the quarterfinals. Host country France will play Germany, while Belgium and Spain, who both had medals at Rio 2016, will meet in a highly anticipated match.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
