Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress bid farewell to the 2024 Olympics after a hard-fought 88-74 loss to the United States of America (USA) in the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball event on Wednesday, August 7.

Despite the unfortunate end to their Olympics campaign, D’Tigress garnered admiration for their remarkable journey in the competition.

Their exit marked the end of a campaign in which they defied expectations by becoming the first African team to advance to the last 16.

Eager to secure a spot in the semi-finals by upsetting the dominant American team, D’Tigress displayed fearlessness from the onset.

The game commenced with the USA taking the lead through an early layup by A’ja Wilson. Undeterred, D’Tigress swiftly responded, levelling the score and setting the stage for a spirited battle.

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The American team, featuring eight players who were former No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA draft, soon gained momentum. Despite D’Tigress’ tenacity, the gap widened as Jackie Young and her teammates forced their African opponents to play catch-up throughout the game.

However, D’Tigress demonstrated remarkable resilience during the final quarter, outscoring their opponents 26-12. This valiant effort not only earned them respect within Africa but also garnered attention from basketball enthusiasts worldwide.

The U.S. women’s team, known for their unparalleled dominance, continued their winning streak, which stretches back to 1992 and encompasses nine Olympic Games and seven consecutive gold medals.