Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will hope to continue their fine form at the Paris 2024 Olympics when they take on hosts France in their second Group B game on Thursday, August 1 .
The African champions, who are ranked 12th in the world, put on a great display at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium to beat the world’s third-best team Australia 75-62 in their opening game, ending their 20 years without a win at the Olympics.
Thursday’s game is expected to be fiercely contested, but the Nigerian team, buoyed by their opening victory, appear ready for the challenge.
The African champions, who are making their second consecutive appearance in Paris, having participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will be looking to land another surprise blow and claim their first-ever successive win at the event.
D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama will most likely start with the quintet that defeated the Opals on Monday, with returning point guard Ezinne Kalu, 2023 Afrobasket MVP, team captain Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Promise Amukamara all putting on a great display in their opening game.
Once again, Nigeria will be banking on terrific Okonkwo and Kalu for inspiration after both put up an impressive display in the opener against Australia.
Kalu brought in her A-game to bag 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the game.
If Okonkwo and Kalu can turn up the dial in the frontcourt, then that will be massive, especially since D’Tigress have received a huge boost with their historic victory on Monday.
There will be further strength under the basket in the shape of Murjanatu Musa, whose size and power will be vital, as will that of Pallas Kunaiyi Akpanah.
Speaking after the game against Australia, Wakama sent a clear message to their rivals, saying they were in Paris to win.
“We’ve come a long way, and we’re not stopping for anybody,” Wakama said.
“This victory is just the beginning. We respect all our opponents, but we fear none. Our sights are set on the gold, and we will fight for it with everything we have.”
The knockout stage of the games will be held at the Bercy Arena in Paris, with the final scheduled for August 11.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
