Paris 2024: Nigeria Defeats Canada 79-70 to Secure Historic Women’s Basketball Quarterfinals Spot
Nigeria’s women’s basketball team made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time. Following their first Olympic victory since 2004, a stunning 75-62 win against Australia in their group play opener on July 29, Nigeria triumphed over Canada with a final score of 79-70 on Sunday, August 4.
Ezinne Kalu led Nigeria with 21 points, while Shay Colley paced the Canadians with 17 points. Despite a closely contested first half, where Canada held a four-point lead at halftime, Nigeria’s relentless pressure in the second half forced 26 Canadian turnovers, converting them into 27 points. Nigeria also recorded 16 steals out of those turnovers, a crucial factor in their victory.
Through three games of group play, Nigeria has forced a total of 69 turnovers from their opponents, including 40 steals. With this victory, D’Tigress moves on to the quarterfinals and awaits their next opponent in this historic Olympic run.