Kalu spearheaded the dramatic win against the Opals of Australia, recording 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals
By Kehinde Okeowo
D’Tigress point guard, Ezinne Kalu, has issued a warning to other opponents of the Nigerian female basketball team following their victory over highly rated Opals of Australia.
Kalu, who said the team is ready to go all the way at the 2024 Olympic Games, added that she and her teammates always “smell blood” while on the court.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the African champions defeated the world number three team 75-62 in their first game in Lille.
In what has been described as the biggest upset of the Olympics so far, the Rena Wakama-led ladies stunned the highly favoured Australians at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.
The Nigerian ladies showed no fear from the opening tip, picking up ball-handlers full-court and seeming to catch the Aussies off-guard with their length and intensity on defense.
The victory was the D’Tigress’ first in two decades at the Olympics Games after their exploit in Athens in 2004.
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Kalu spearheaded the dramatic win, recording 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
The 32-year-old after the upset, expressed delight with the remarkable victory.
Speaking with FIBA.com after the encounter, Kanu said, “Our defence was relentless. Nobody defends quite like us.”
She added: “When we are on the court, we smell blood. Nobody defends quite like us, and that is what keeps us going.
“Australia came out in the second half with their veterans and an amazing coach who knows what she’s doing, but we kept our foot on the gas and kept on going.”
D’Tigress will face another tough test again host, France on Thursday.
