Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, will face reigning USA champions in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics women’s basketball competition on Wednesday, following the draw on Sunday.
The Nigerians are the first African nation ever to reach the last eight of an Olympic basketball tournament, men and women included.
They will have a tough task against the Americans, who have won the last seven titles.
Nigeria clinched their place by beating Canada 79-70 on Sunday, while the USA defeated Germany 87-68 thanks to 19 points from Jackie Young and 14 points from A’ja Wilson.
Host nations France, the bronze medallists three years ago at the Tokyo Games, play Germany while Spain takes on Belgium.
The first match of the day on Wednesday pits Serbia against Australia.
The knockout stages of the men’s and women’s basketball tournament will be played in Paris after group play took place near the northern city of Lille.
USA’s impressive run
The USA team has been unbeaten in all three of their Olympic games, defeating Belgium, Japan, and Germany to reach the quarterfinals.
Their credentials are formidable, but Nigeria still has the potential to cause an upset.
Nigeria’s chances
The Tigress have already made history by winning two games and qualifying for the knockout stage, a feat many thought was impossible.
Their ability to cause an upset might be their saving grace when they meet the defending champions on Wednesday.
The two teams have met four times in the last six years, with their last meeting at the Olympics qualifiers resulting in a 100-46 win for the USA.
Other Quarterfinal Matches
Serbia, who reached the semifinals at the last Olympics, will face Australia in the quarterfinals. Host country France will play Germany, while Belgium and Spain, who both medaled at Rio 2016, will meet in a highly anticipated match.
