In the words of lyrical pundit Saint Jhn, “When an underdog wins, they win for everybody, because somebody gotta come through that door and break it open and make it possible.” This was exactly what the Nigerian D’Tigress women’s basketball team did for the great continent of Africa. They made history by defeating world number three, Australia, at the ongoing Paris Olympics Games, marking their first win at the Olympic Games in 20 years. This monumental achievement is clear indication of the team’s hard work, and resilience.
The D’Tigress have been a force to be reckoned with on the African continent, boasting an impressive record of success since their international debut at the 1974 AfroBasket Women’s Champion in Tunisia. They have won the Women’s Afrobasket Championship six times, including four consecutive titles from 2017 to 2023. Their most recent championship victories took place in Bamako, Mali (2017), Dakar, Senegal (2019), Yaounde, Cameroon (2021), and most recently, Kigali, Rwanda (2023).
The team’s captain, Amy Okonkwo, was ecstatic after the game, expressing her delight and pride in her teammates’ performance. “It feels so good,” she said. “We stuck together and came together in adversity. This is what it’s all about you fight.” The team’s defence was the key to their victory, forcing Australia to cough up the ball an astonishing 26 times, allowing them to score 26 points.
Coach Rena Wakama couldn’t contain her emotions after the game, commending her team’s performance. “I am so proud and excited for this group,” she said. “I’ve got a lot of girls that are hungry, and really shocked the world. We are tough. It’s in our DNA. We don’t back down and I just want to bring a lot of energy and passion.”
This historic win has sparked immense pride and joy across Africa, with many hailing the D’Tigress as heroes. The team’s victory serves as hope and inspiration for young girls and women across the continent, showing that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
D’Tigress have a strong chance to add another outstanding chapter to their record with France and Canada still to come in the group games. As they continue their journey at the Paris Olympics, they will undoubtedly draw inspiration from their historic win over Australia.
