T he D’Tigress of Nigeria have made a remarkable start to their 2024 Paris Olympics campaign, defeating the Opals of Australia 75-62 in their opening match at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.
Led by Rena Wakama, the Nigerian ladies showcased a spirited and determined performance, marking their first Olympic win since Athens 2004, where they defeated South Korea in a classification game after exiting the main tournament.
Australia, ranked third in the competition’s power ranking, were favorites against Nigeria, who were placed 12th. However, the supposed gulf in quality was quickly dispelled as the game commenced. D’Tigress dominated from the outset, with Murjanatu Musa, Ezinne Kalu, and Amy Okonkwo leading the charge, retrieving loose balls, and shooting with remarkable ease.
Nigeria took a narrow lead of 18-17 by the end of the first quarter, which they extended to a commanding 41-28 by halftime. Kalu’s finesse with three-point shots and Murjanatu’s blocks and steals played crucial roles in maintaining Nigeria's advantage.
Despite a strong rally from the Opals in the third quarter and the early minutes of the fourth, D’Tigress held firm to secure their historic victory.
Next up, the team will face France in their second Group B match on Thursday
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