July 29, 2024
Inside Nigeria’s historic upset of Australia
Okonkwo: 'It's about time people notice African basketball'
VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France — Australia’s roster of WNBA players and five-medal pedigree did little to rattle Nigeria. Using pressing defense and intensity, Nigeria pulled away with the upset, 75-62, to open Group B play on Monday at the Paris Olympics.
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“They were just relentless,” Australia coach Sandy Brondello said. “We didn’t play Opals basketball. We don’t get to play those styles very often.”
The win was Nigeria’s first in the Olympics since beating South Korea in the classification round in 2004. Nigeria itself was obliterated in its final two games at Tokyo.
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Point guard Ezinne Kalu knocked in a huge three pointer to give D’Tigress an 18-17 lead to end the first quarter. The 5’8 guard ended with a game-high 19 points.
A capacity crowd, mostly donning red, black and white for the following Belgium-Germany matchup, began siding with the Nigerians. It seemed many were waiting for Australia to make the comeback, but it never happened.
Point guard Promise Amukamara and forward Nicole Enabosi both scored off steals in the final seconds of the first half to open a 41-28 lead. When forward Amy Okonkwo threw her fingers in the air after a three in the late second half, it appeared to be the dagger.
Amukamara, who finished with 14 points, nine assists and four steals, told The Next she was thrilled with the victory. She also mentioned her pleasure with head coach Rena Wakama. The soft-spoken 32-year-old is the first woman to guide the national team in program history. Wakama graduated from Western Carolina in 2014, the same year Brondello won the WNBA title with the Phoenix Mercury. Presently, she is an assistant at Tulane during the college season.
It was a hectic week for the team. On Friday, they were denied entry onto the Nigeria boat at the opening ceremony — told there was not enough room. The win also comes a day after the South Sudan men defeated Puerto Rico to make Africa 2-0 in basketball at these Games.
In addition to Nigeria’s struggles in past Olympics, Senegal was winless at Rio and Sydney, as were Angola at London, Mali at Beijing and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Atlanta in 1996, the first African appearance in the event. Now times are changing.
“It’s about time people notice African basketball,” Okonkwo added.
Written by Scott Mammoser
Scott Mammoser has covered major international events for FIBA, World Athletics and the International Skating Union. He has been to six Olympics and traveled to more than 90 countries.
