The D’Tigress of Nigeria have defeated the Opals of Australia of their first match on the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Rena Wakama-led girls pulled off a spirited efficiency to beat the Australians 75-62 on the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.
The victory was the workforce’s first win in an Olympic match since Athens 2004.
It was a sensational efficiency by the African facet as they capitalized on Australian turnovers to take victory in entrance of one other big crowd in Lille.
Nigeria posted a spectacular 11-0 run to complete to the primary half and that gave them a 13-point cushion heading to the locker rooms.
That proved sufficient for them to recover from the road and when the Opals did make it a one shot sport within the final interval with 4 minutes remaining, Amy Okonkwo settled Nigerian nerves with an enormous triple to get them rolling once more.
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This received’t be remembered for any heroics aside from these carried out by your complete Nigerian workforce. Nevertheless, there isn’t any doubt that Ezinne Kalu was the category act that carried them to this memorable success. The playmaker has not represented her nation since Tokyo 2020 and was on hearth with 19 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and three steals.
Australia spilled the ball a staggering 26 instances within the sport and that handed Nigeria an enormous 26 factors from turnovers. It was a difference-maker and particularly within the first half once they nearly handed their opponents a degree per minute from that supply.
Nigeria had been excellent contemplating that they had a gradual begin. Their protection was significantly spectacular and with this win, they might show to be the fly within the ointment of predictions about Group B. They flew the flag for African basketball in an enormous method.
Australia seemed disjointed and their guards didn’t address the ball strain as they fairly actually threw away any likelihood of a victory.
