Nigeria stun the Opals with a first Olympic win in 20 years

by Admin
July 29, 2024

LILLE (France) – Nigeria pulled off a famous shock win against Australia as they took down the Opals 75-62 in their opening game of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024.

It was a sensational performance by the African side as they capitalized on Australian turnovers to take victory in front of another huge crowd in Lille.

Turning point

Nigeria posted a spectacular 11-0 run to finish to the first half ant that gave them a 13-point cushion heading to the locker rooms.

That proved enough for them to get over the line and when the Opals made did make it a one shot game in the last period with four minutes remaining, Amy Okonkwo settled Nigerian nerves with a huge triple to get them rolling again.

Game hero

This won’t be remembered for any heroics other than those performed by the entire Nigerian team. However, there is no doubt that Ezinne Kalu was the class act that carried them to this memorable success.

The playmaker has not represented her country since Tokyo 2020 and was on fire with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals

Stats don’t lie

Australia spilled the ball a staggering 26 times in the game and that handed Nigeria a huge 26 points from turnovers. It was a difference-maker and especially in the first half when they almost handed their opponents a point per minute from that source.

Read more about Nigeria’s defense here

Ferocious defense a difference-maker for Kalu and Nigeria

Bottom Line

Nigeria were outstanding considering they had a slow start. Their defense was particularly impressive and with this win, they could prove to be the fly in the ointment of predictions about Group B. They flew the flag for African basketball in a big way.

Australia looked disjointed and their guards didn’t cope with the ball pressure as they quite literally threw away any chance of a victory.

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They said

“It feels so good. We stuck together and we came together in adversity. This is what it is all about – you fight,” Nigeria forward Amy Okonkwo

“We turned the ball over way too much and we were not ready to step up to the physicality of the game. Turning the ball over though was the crux of the game,” Opals’ forward, Alanna Smith

“We didn’t play Opals’ basketball and we weren’t aggressive defensively. We have to be better. We have to find a way” Opals’ playcaller, Sandy Brondello

Quick Notes

– This is Nigeria’s only second win in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament, after their success 68-64 against South Korea in 2004; it is however their first win in nine games in the preliminary round. They conceded only 62 points today, fewer than in any of their previous games in the competition.

– Australia have lost their opening game of a Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament for the second edition in a row, after winning their previous six such games; this is their first defeat against a team from Africa in 12 games in major competitions (World Cup + Olympics).

– Nigeria made nine 3-pointers today, more than in any of their previous nine games at the Olympics; they also made 15 steals, a joint-high for them in the competition (also 15 v Greece in 2004).

– Ezinne Kalu (19pts, 15 reb, 15ast) became the first Nigerian player to register a 15/5/5 game in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament; she made four 3-pointers today, the most for a player with Nigeria in the competition.

– Steph Talbot (12reb, 10ast) became the second player to combine 10+ rebounds and 10+ assists in a game in the Women’s Olympic Basketball tournament, after South Korea’s Joo Weon Chun in 2000 against Cuba (10reb, 11ast).

FIBA