The Nigerian women’s national basketball team D’Tigress made Olympic history on Sunday, August 4, 2024, by beating Canada 79-70 to qualify for the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball event for the first time at the global showpiece.

Nigeria went into the game as the least-ranked side (12^th) against a 5^th-ranked Canadian team in Group B.

Despite a strong start from the D’Tigress, Canada tied the first quarter 18-18 and went on to prove why they are superior in ranking by winning the second quarter 23-19 to finish the first half with a 41-37 point lead at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille.

Rena Wakama’s inspired Nigerian side came into the second half more determined to make history and won the third quarter 23-5 to take the lead by 60-46 points.

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Nigeria held on to their advantage in the fourth quarter despite loosing 24-19 to finish the game with a 79-70 point win.

Team Nigeria went into the Olympics as the least ranked side in a Group B that includes hosts France, 3^rd-ranked Australia, and 5^th-ranked Canada.

Prior to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nigeria had not won a single match in the Olympics in 20 years. Their last win was against South Korea in Athens, 2004.

Nigeria shocked the world by beating Australia by 75-62 points in their first group game before loosing by 75-54 points against France.

An exceptional display from Ezinne Kalu and the rest of the team against Canada saw Nigeria book a place in the quarterfinals for the first time, raising the hopes of a medal for Nigeria in women’s basketball.