It was a historic moment for Team Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday as D’Tigress qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the Women’s Basketball event with a resounding win over Canada.
The girls produced a fast start, racing into a 12-2 lead but the Canadians recovered to even scores at 18-18 in the first quarter before edging the 2nd to lead 41-37 at the half.
D’Tigress had a massive 3rd quarter, restricting the North Americans to only 5 points and pouring it on with 23 on offense to open up a 14 point lead, 60- 46, which they never relinquished before coasting home 79-70.
Also Read – Paris 2024 Women’s Basketball: Wakama Relishes D’Tigress’ Victory Against Canada
It’s a historic win for the Nigerian team as they became the First African side to win 2 matches at the Olympics and qualify for the last 8. Even more impressive when you consider the victories were against teams ranked 3 and 5 in the world. Up next, though, is number one-ranked and tournament favourite, the USA, on Wednesday. That will be a tough prospect but the way Rena Wakama’s team have played in this tournament, you can’t rule anything out.
In Athletics, Favour Ofili put her controversial 100 metres exclusion behind to qualify for the 200 metres Semi Finals with a blistering Personal Season Best time of 22.24 secs for her Heat 1 win, but Oyesade Olatoye’s 66.41 metres heave in the Hammer Throw was not good enough as she was eliminated.
In the evening session on the tracks, Samuel Ogazi underlined his growing potential with a second placed finish in Heat 4, Round 1 of the Men’s 400 metres to qualify for the Semi Finals. Chidi Okezie is consigned to racing in the Repechage Round after his 4th placed, 45.52 secs time in Heat 1 fell short in the time slots.
Also Read: ‘Amazing Achievement’ — Troost-Ekong Hails D’Tigress’ Win Over Canada
On the tracks for Team Nigeria today are the duo of Ella Onojuvwevwo and Esther Elo Joseph in Women’s 400 metres, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the 400 metre Hurdles men, while Udodi Onwuzuruike will spike up for the Men’s 200 metres 1st Round. Favour Ofili will also compete for a Final Spot in the Women’s 200 metres Semi Finals
Elsewhere, Tokyo 2020 Silver Medalist, Blessing Oborodudu will take to the mat against Canada’s Linda Morais in the Women’s 68kg Freestyle Wrestling event Round of 16, hoping to go one better than the last time. If she passes that test she will also contest the Quarter Finals later in the day. There are very high hopes for Team Nigeria in Wrestling.
Things are looking up…..
By Deji Omotoyinbo, in Paris
