Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, faced their first loss in the Paris 2024 Olympics Group C, falling 75-54 to France. This setback contrasts sharply with their strong opening game win against Australia.
In the match against France, Ezinne Kalu, the standout point guard and three-time AfroBasket champion, led the team with 18 points. Despite her impressive performance, D’Tigress struggled against France’s robust defense, which played a key role in the outcome.
Gabby Williams was instrumental for France, contributing 14 points, seven assists, and six steals, while Marine Johannes added 15 points. France’s efficient shooting, particularly their 22-of-35 performance inside the paint, and their tight defense limited Nigeria’s scoring chances.
D’Tigress’s points were heavily reliant on free throws, and their overall performance fell short of their previous game. With this defeat, Nigeria’s record stands at 1-1, the same as Australia, while Canada is at 0-2. To advance to the next round, D’Tigress must secure a win against Canada.
