DTigress, the women's basketball team from Nigeria, had a tough exit from the 2024 Olympic qualifiers after a heartbreaking loss to the United States. Nigeria surprised everyone by pushing the USA harder in this intensely competitive encounter. The USA won the match 88–74 in the end. Nigeria showed their strength as a squad and their capacity to compete with elite teams by staying within striking distance the entire game.
First Quarter
The Team USA got out to a fast start and led the way, but DTigress caught up. The USA led at the end of the first quarter, but the difference was small, proving DTigress’ tenacity and strategic approach. DTigress maintained its toughness and ended the quarter with a mere two-point loss over the USA, who had taken an early lead in the first quarter. The USA led 25-18 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
With the dedication of key players like Sabrina Ionescu and A’Ja Wilson, the USA’s lead was somewhat growing in the second quarter. But DTigress persevered in fighting, and Promise Amukamara and Ezinne Kalu were crucial in keeping the score close. The USA was ahead at the half’s finish, but Nigeria was still reachable.
Both sides kept up their fierce fighting in the second quarter. Team USA dominated DTigress 21–20 at this time, extending their lead slightly. The USA led 46–38 at the end of the first half.
Third Quarter
The Team USA continued to widen their lead in the third quarter, but Nigeria fought back with solid defense and timely goals. To keep the game competitive, players like Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun stepped up for DTigress. The USA had a more comfortable lead at the end of the quarter, but they were still unable to pull away.
The United States of America maintained their lead over Nigeria in the third quarter, outscoring them 23–18. The USA led 69-56 at the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
DTigress attempted to rally in the last quarter, but the USA held onto their advantage and outscored Nigeria 19–18. The final result of the match was 88-74 in the USA’s advantage. The USA maintained their lead and won 88-74 in the fourth quarter. Nigeria showed that they could play at a high level against one of the world’s greatest teams, and their performance was impressive even if they lost.
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DTigress has become increasingly popular in women’s basketball both in Africa and worldwide. Coach Rena Wakama led the team to a historic victory in 2023, one of their many Afrobasket victories. Their triumphs in Afrobasket in 2017, 2019, and 2021 solidified their position as the leading force in the continent.
The women’s basketball team from Nigeria created history by being the only team from Africa to get to the Olympics in Paris in 2024. They took the world by surprise when they defeated Australia, ranked third, in their first game and then defeated Canada, ranked fifth, to advance to the next round. Their feat established a new record for the best-ever finish by an African team at the Olympics and made them the first team, male or female, to compete in an Olympic quarterfinal.
DTigress has shown brilliance internationally. During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, they frightened the USA by leading at the end of the first quarter before losing to a better-prepared American squad. This display showed the team’s ability on the international scene.
A major factor in DTigress recent success has been Rena Wakama, the squad’s head coach from 2023. Wakama’s basketball career started as a player at Western Carolina University. She was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Nigerian parents. After finishing her playing career, she went into coaching and made a name for herself with D’Tigress right away.
Nigeria overcame Senegal in the 2023 Afrobasket final, mainly because of Wakama’s leadership. She became the first female coach to win the Afrobasket championship with this triumph, which was an outstanding achievement for African basketball. Wakama’s strategy has been identified by her insistence on mental toughness, discipline, and teamwork.
