Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, faced their first loss at the Paris 2024 Olympics, falling 75-54 to France in their second Group C match on Thursday.
The game contrasted sharply with their earlier 75-54 triumph over Australia. Despite the defeat, Ezinne Kalu delivered another standout performance, following her excellent showing against Australia. The New Jersey-born point guard and three-time AfroBasket champion continued to impress with her skills.
After a strong start to the tournament, Rena Wakama’s squad hoped for a consecutive victory. However, they were stifled by France’s robust defense. Gabby Williams led France with 14 points, seven assists, and six steals, contributing to their 2-0 record in the group stage.
France demonstrated formidable defensive prowess, restricting Nigeria to the same scoreline as in their initial game against Canada. Marine Johannes added 15 points, and the French team’s physical play resulted in 14 fouls and 13 steals.
The French team also dominated in the paint, converting 22 of 35 attempts from inside the 3-point line. Despite Nigeria’s defeat, Kalu excel with 18 points, though support was limited, with Murjanatu Liman Musa contributing 14 points.
Nigeria’s scoring fell short of their earlier performance, with 15 points coming from free throws. D’Tigress now share a 1-1 record with Australia, while Canada remains winless at 0-2.
Wakama’s team will aim for a crucial win against Canada on Saturday to secure a spot in the knockout stages, while France seeks to maintain their perfect group stage record against Australia.
