D’Tigress must play their game against Team Canada-Wakama

D’Tigress head coach Rene Wakama says the African champions need to get back to their ways when they face Canada in their last Group B match of the Women’s Basketball Tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, starting at 12:30 Pierre Mauroy Stadium.

The youthful tactician made the observation after her charges came short against France, trailing the hosts in the four quarters in the 75-54 blowout on Thursday, the same margin of victory against Australia on Monday.

She reckoned D’Tigress were not in their character throughout the game, stressing the need for a reversal of approach in order to secure a win over Canada, who lost their first two games to Australia and France.

“We didn’t play our game. We were not ourselves. What helped us secure the win on Monday we didn’t bring today. It’s tough when you let another team shoot 63 percent inside the paint. It’s hard to beat anybody. We need to get back to our ways.” Nigeria head coach, Wakama, told FIBA.

Nigeria’s 54 points are their lowest in a single game at the Olympics; they have now lost three games by more than 20 points in the competition, and two of those happened against France on Thursday and in the 2020 edition (87-62).

D’Tigress are second in the group behind France, and a win over Canada will see them progress to the quarterfinals in Paris, which will be another record after thumping Australia to record their first win of the tournament in 20 years.

To achieve this feat, the Nigerians will once again be counting on their point guard Ezinne Kalu, who sent heads turning with her top-draw performance in their first two group games.

The Landerneau was the best performer against France, with the New Jersey-born and three-time Afrobasket champion following up with her second successive stunning performance in as many outings at the Games, emerging the top scorer with 18 points, three more than her haul in the opening game against Australia.

Wakama’s team will once again be banking on her, fancying a chance to clinch a historic knockout berth against Canada. In doing so, they must play with typical courage and on the front foot, as they did against France for much of the first half.

Nigeria also stand a chance to finish first in the group if they beat Canada and Australia and defeat France by 30 points or more, which is very
unlikely.