Nigeria Makes History at Paris 2024 Olympics: First African Team to Reach Basketball Quarterfinals

Nigeria defeated Canada 79-70 on Sunday, with Ezinna Kalu scoring 21 points as the squad achieved Olympic history by becoming the first African team—male or female—to advance to the quarterfinals of the basketball competition.

Nigerians (2-1) are currently awaiting word about their opponent. In pool play, it has already quadrupled the amount of victories for a nation that traveled to France seeking its first Olympic gold since the 2004 Athens Games.

An assistant coach took her phone and started recording the event as they made their way to midcourt to begin the celebration. After stopping to give the Canadians a high five, the Nigerians resumed their celebration with a midcourt huddle.

The Nigerians took their time enjoying the moment, hugging and posing for more pictures on the court after an assistant coach stole a flag from a spectator.

Canada, the fifth-ranked team in the world, is eliminated by a team rated twelve on the last day of group play in women’s basketball, leaving them winless in three games.

Five nations had already secured spots, with the United States attempting to capture a record eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal. Germany, France, Serbia, and Spain are the others. After Australia plays the host country, France, in the final match, a draw determines the quarterfinals.

Nigeria was winless in Tokyo and was not able to go to the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. This women’s team will now play on Wednesday in Bercy Arena on the banks of the Seine River after being refused entry to Nigeria’s boat for the opening ceremony on July 26.

The game’s opening six points were scored by Nigeria. Aaliyah Edwards, a forward for Canada, collided with captain Amy Okonkwo early in the second quarter, injuring her right shoulder. As a result, Canada led 41–37 at the half.

When Nigeria started the third quarter with a 13-1 lead, Okonkwo was back. The Nigerians led 60-46 going into the fourth quarter after outscoring Canada 23-5 in the third.

Promise Amukamara scored 12 points, and Elizabeth Balogun added 14 for Nigeria. With 17 points, Shay Colley topped Canada, followed by Bridget Carleton with 13 and Kayla Alexander with 12.

With 31 points and 11 rebounds, Emma Meesseman led Belgium to a decisive victory over Japan, securing the first of three possible quarterfinal berths. After the final buzzer, the Cats united, hugging and dancing at midcourt, with some of them even wiping tears from their eyes.

Japan (0-3) was eliminated from the Tokyo Games three years after winning silver. As they departed the court, the Japanese wiped away their tears.

The silver medallist has not placed in the medal standings in the next Olympics for the second time in a row. Spain fell to France in the Tokyo quarterfinals after winning silver at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016.

Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024: US Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team Eliminated After Tough Pool Play Performance

For Belgium (1-2) to advance, they have to defeat Japan by 27 points in order to finish above of China in point differential. With Belgium only 20 miles (32 kilometers) away and China (1-2) monitoring the scoreboard through the final three games to find out its fate, the Cats had a packed house trying to help. In the first few minutes, a jumper by Rui Machada gave Japan a 4-2 lead.

The Cats led 19-7 at the half as Antonia Delaere’s 3-pointer put them ahead to stay, with the main worry being the final margin. Japan had a difficult time as Belgium led 39–23 at the half after a 20–16 advantage in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, the Cats outscored Japan 22–16 to take a 61–39 advantage. As soon as Belgium scored a goal, the crowd let out a cheer, understanding that they had to win by a point margin. After Elise Ramette’s 3-pointer at 4:52 increased the advantage to 71-44, Becky Massey gave her a hug and called a Japan timeout.

With 16 points in the end, Ramette was followed by Delaeare and Maxuella Mbaka Lisowa, each with 12. With 13, Saki Hayashi led Japan, followed by Evelyn Mawuli with 12.