D’Tigress forward Amy Okonkwo is confident that Nigeria can secure a spot in the knockout stages of the women’s basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics.
Following a 75-64 loss to host nation France in their second Group B match, the Nigerian team must defeat Canada in their final group game to advance to the quarterfinals.
Forward Amy Okonkwo admitted that the team did not play to their full potential against France, but insisted that the defeat is not the end of their Olympic journey. “We didn’t play our best basketball, but it’s not the end of the tournament for us,” Okonkwo said.
The D’Tigress are now focused on their final group game against Canada. A win would make history for Nigeria as the first African team to reach the Olympic basketball quarterfinals.
“We have a couple of days to rest up and try to bring that same energy we had against Australia,” Okonkwo added. “It felt incredible to win that game after 20 years, and we want to build on that momentum.”
The forward emphasized the need for improvement in defensive intensity, citing it as a key factor in the loss to France. “We were not on the same page and they were able to capitalize on our mistakes,” she said. “We need to correct those errors and limit their opportunities.”
With a place in the knockout stages within reach, the D’Tigress are determined to finish strong. “We have worked so hard to get here, and our journey is not over,” Okonkwo said. “We have a really good opportunity against Canada, and that’s what we’re focused on.”
