August 08, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s women’s basketball team made history at the 2024 Olympics, becoming the first African nation to play in the quarter-finals. Despite losing 88-74 to the United States, their achievement marks a significant milestone for African basketball.
The US team, led by A’ja Wilson’s double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds, extended their Olympic winning streak to 60 games. Jackie Young added 15 points to the American victory. The U.S. will face Australia in the semi-finals, aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal.
Nigeria’s performance, particularly in the fourth quarter where they narrowed a 28-point deficit, demonstrated the growing competitiveness of women’s basketball globally. Their historic run serves as an inspiration for other African nations and underscores the sport’s expanding reach across the continent.
The other semifinal will feature Belgium against France, setting the stage for intense competition in the medal rounds. Both European teams will be looking to challenge the American team’s dominance in Olympic basketball.
While Nigeria’s tournament has ended, their quarterfinal appearance represents a breakthrough for African basketball. It will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the continent’s sporting development, even in defeat and the team, with coach Rena Wakama can take pride in what they have accomplished.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
