Paris 2024: Nigeria stun Australia’s Opals with a first Olympic win in 20 years

Nigeria pulled off a famous shock win against Australia as they took down the Opals 75-62 in their opening game of the Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024.

It was a sensational performance by the African side as they capitalized on Australian turnovers to take victory in front of another huge crowd in Lille.

Nigeria posted a spectacular 11-0 run to finish the first half and that gave them a 13-point cushion heading to the locker rooms.

That proved enough for them to get over the line and when the Opals did make it a one-shot game in the last period with four minutes remaining, Amy Okonkwo settled Nigerian nerves with a huge triple to get them rolling again.

This won’t be remembered for any heroics other than those performed by the entire Nigerian team. However, there is no doubt that Ezinne Kalu was the class act that carried them to this memorable success. The playmaker has not represented her country since Tokyo 2020 and was on fire with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals

Australia spilled the ball a staggering 26 times in the game and that handed Nigeria a huge 26 points from turnovers. It was a difference-maker especially in the first half when they almost handed their opponents a point per minute from that source.

Nigeria were outstanding considering they had a slow start. Their defence was particularly impressive and with this win, they could prove to be the fly in the ointment of predictions about Group B. They flew the flag for African basketball in a big way.

Australia looked disjointed and their guards didn’t cope with the ball pressure as they quite literally threw away any chance of a victory.