Semi-Finals bound USA end Nigeria's fairytale

USA will take their familiar place in the last four of the competition. D'Tigress head home having sent positive shockwaves around the basketball world.

While it was business as usual for USA as they continue to bear down on yet another successful title defense, Nigeria bowed out of the competition as basketball heroes.

They made history in so many ways and stepped off the court having been the first African team (men or women) to have even competed at this stage.

Turning point

There wasn't one in truth, USA just gradually used their talent and superior depth to slowly and steadily pull further and further clear. Only a late Nigeria flurry of points cut the margin to a more respectable level.

Game heroes

A'ja Wilson had another game to remember, with the forward posting a performance efficiency valuation of 32 after producing 20 points from a 9 of 11 shooting effort - as well as grabbing 11 rebounds.

Stats don't lie

USA finishing with 70% shooting from two-point range is an epic number even for the defending Olympic champions.

Bottom Line

USA are looking like they are ready for their 'medal' games and completely locked in and on course for their usual success The forwards in particular are in good form and it will take something special to stop A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner - either in the Semi-Finals or the Final if they make it as expected.

Nigeria have been sensational. The underdogs attained historical and unprecedented success, winning the hearts of basketball fans not only in Africa, but beyond. Beating Australia and Canada showed their potential, while they didn't let USA have it all their own way in this last outing. Rene Wakama and her players have done an amazing job.


They said

"We're feeling really good as we got a lot of great contributions from everyone. We had to make sure that we came out with the right mindset and mentality. We knew how Nigeria played and we had to be ready for the physicality. It's amazing to play in front of different fans whether it is here in Paris or in Lille at these Olympics. [The USA program] It's the gold standard as we expect to go and win gold. We know that everything leading up to this was hugely important. We know that we carry a lot because of those who have played before us." USA forward, Breanna Stewart

"This team is one of a kind. I am blessed to be a part of this team and this group. These girls never give up and they always keep fighting through any adversity. We are going out, but I think we are not going out on any kind of negative note. I think we accomplished something big this year and we need to build on this for the future." Nigeria forward, Pallas Kunaiyi Akpana


Quick notes

- The USA remains undefeated in the quarter-finals at the Olympics, winning their eight game in this phase: however, this was their closest win at the quarter-finals of the Olympics, with their seven previous games being all won by 15 or more points.

- Nigeria scored more than 73 points in consecutive games for the first time at the Olympics: their 26 points in the fourth quarter of today’s game are the most the USA has ever allowed in the last quarter of a game in the competition.

- The USA have made 30+ assists for the 10th time at the Olympics, while no other team have had more than three such games in the history of the competition. They are the only team to have had multiple games with more than 30 assists in a single tournament: this year and in 2016.

- With her four assists in tonight’s game, Diana Taurasi is the fifth player to have dished out 100+ assists at the Olympics; she is the only player to have made 300+ points and 100+ assists in the competition.

- A’Ja Wilson completed her fifth double-double at the Olympics (20pts & 11reb), more than any other player in the competition since Wilson debuted in Tokyo 2020; this was her second double-double against Nigeria after having 19 points and 13 rebounds in the last Olympics.

FIBA

Paris 2024: D’Tigress Heroic Despite Loss, Tobi Amusan Cruises To Semi-Final

Deji Omotoyinbo
August 8, 2024

Rarely do you see a team shown so much love in a sporting loss like D’Tigress were at the Bercy Arena in Paris last night. The crowd gave Rena Wakama and her gutsy girls a standing ovation after the match and the Media from across the world couldn’t have enough of them after.

The Americans were the obvious favourites and pretty much cruised through the first 3 quarters and at a point threatened to blow out the Nigerians with a 30 point lead.

The 4th quarter though epitomised the passion and competitiveness D’Tigress have shown in this tournament.

Defiance, Aggression, Attitude.

They kept the US team at bay, winning the quarter by a score of 26-12 for a final score of 88-74.

At the end, the packed venue rose in appreciation of what the Nigerian Ladies have brought to the tournament and the Media Interviews showed how much regard and respect D’Tigress now command in the world of international Basketball and the latest FIBA rankings just released put Nigeria at number 8. Elite company indeed

Elsewhere, Tobi Amusan broke little sweat in reaching the Semi-Finals of the Women’s 100m Hurdles, winning Heat 1 with a fast 12.49 seconds time. She remains Nigeria’s brightest hope of a Medal finish.

Impressive youngster Samuel Ogazi placed 7th in the Men’s 400m Final but has shown enough potential in the event for future success. Ella Onojuvwevwo, Women’s 400m and Udodi Onwuzuruike, Men’s 200m faltered in the Semi-Finals stage, same as Ezekiel Nathaniel in the 400m Hurdles Semi-Finals. Edose Ibadin has to go the Repechage route in Men’s 800 metres after falling to qualify directly.

In others Sports, Christianah Ogunsanya lost her first round bout in the 53kg class Women’s Freestyle Wrestling while Ese Ukpeseraye had to settle for the Repechage in Women’s Keirin cycling.

Highlight for Team Nigeria today at the Games will be the Women’s Long Jump Final with the trio of Ruth Usoro, Prestina Ochonogor and Olympic Bronze Medallist Ese Brume lining up. Nigeria’s 4 by 100m Men and Women Relay teams will also take to the tracks in Round 1.

Esther Adekuruoye will hope to put the disappointment of Tokyo 2020 behind as she begins her campaign in Women’s 57kg Freestyle Wrestling while Rafiatu Lawal competes in Weightlifting Women’s 59kg class.

Also today there’s Canoeing Singles Women with Ayomide Bello and Beauty Otuedo in action.

Maybe today is the day…….

By Deji Omotoyinbo, in Paris

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Rena Wakama should be employed as Super Eagles coach