10th February, 2024
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Nigeria’s female national basketball team D’Tigress have qualified for the basketball event of the Paris 2024 Olympics despite having one game in hand.
D’Tigress achieved the feat, having defeated Senegal, 72-65 in their first game and Senegal losing to Belgium 66-92 at the ongoing FIBA Olympic Qualifying Games in Belgium.
Nigeria had lost 109-44 to FIBA 2022 World Champions, U.S.A, but despite this loss, D’Tigress already with their opening game victory, booked their place in Paris.
With Belgium’s victory over Senegal, U.S.A. qualified as World champions.
Nigeria and Belgium also qualified despite one game in hand.
The Rena Wakama tutored side has been receiving congratulatory messages from all sides as basketball faithful pure encomiums on the team.
Queen John-Moseph, a basketball enthusiast, said the team did well to seal their place in Paris and in history.
She said the team had earned their place in Paris through hard work and deserved to be praised.
“Congratulations to the Nigerian team, this was hard fought competition and with one game in hand are there in Paris already,” she said.
Nigeria plays Belgium on Sunday evening, as U.S.A. takes on Senegal to round off the Olympic qualifiers for their group.
(NAN)