At the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France, on August 4, 2024, during the women’s preliminary round group B basketball match between Canada and Nigeria during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Nigeria’s #1 player, Amy Okonkwo, reacts.
Following the draw on Sunday, reigning champions USA will play historically significant Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the women’s basketball competition at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.
Nigeria is the first country in African history to get to the final eight of an Olympic basketball competition, both for men and women. The Americans, who have won the previous seven titles, will be a formidable opponent for them.
On Sunday, Nigeria overcame Canada 79-70 to secure their spot, while the USA upset Germany 87-68 behind 19 points from Jackie Young and 14 from A’ja Wilson.
Germany will play the host nation France, who won bronze in the Tokyo Games three years prior, while Belgium will play Spain. Australia takes against Serbia in Wednesday’s first game of the day.
Group play for the men’s and women’s basketball competition took place close to Lille in the north, while the knockout stages will take place in Paris.