The lead allowed Nigeria to dictate the play and wrap up the match comfortably.
The D’Tigress will face host France in their next Group B match on Thursday before a showdown against world number 5, Canada next Monday.
Published
8 months agoon
By
Ekwutos BlogD’Tigress of Nigeria have beaten the Opals of Australia 75-62 in women’s basketball at the Paris Olympics.
Point guard Ezinne Kalu produced a clutch performance, inspiring the Rena Wakama-coached team to withstand a late rally from the Aussies at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Monday.
The victory was Nigeria’s first at the Games since Athens 2004.
Kalu finished the game with 19 points and five rebounds helping Nigeria to a memorable win over the third-best team in the world.
At the start, Australia showed some real urgency and was all over the Nigerian ladies in the opening few minutes.
Jade Melbourne and Ezi Magbegor led the early onslaught as the Opals raced to a 13-5 lead.
However, D’Tigress, playing their second successive Summer Games, responded with a magnificent Kalu leading their lines.
They had their noses in front after the first quarter at 18-17 largely thanks to Kalu’s 11 points, which included three three-pointers.
Kalu continued to run the play in the second quarter. With Amy Okonkwo and Elizabeth Balogun adding to the Opals’ woes, the D’Tigresses went into half-time with a surprise 41-28 lead.
An astonishing 16 turnovers by the Aussie players had a telling say on the scoreboard. Nigeria, in comparison, had only eight in the first half.
The Opals, five-time Olympic medallists, needed a strong response in the second half. Despite some resolute defending from the Nigerian players, the Opals chipped away at the lead slowly with Alanna Smith leading the fightback.
Heading into the final quarter, the Aussies trailed by just four and had pulled themselves back into the basketball contest.
The final quarter proved to be a nervy affair. With just over six minutes left on the clock, the Opals trailed by just two before a disastrous spell of play transpired for them.
Smith, who had been excellent for her team, missed two free throws before Promise Amukamara converted both of hers for Nigeria. Promise then set up Okonkwo for a three-pointer which saw the reigning four-time African champions go seven points clear.
The lead allowed Nigeria to dictate the play and wrap up the match comfortably.
The D’Tigress will face host France in their next Group B match on Thursday before a showdown against world number 5, Canada next Monday.
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Published
15 hours agoon
April 9, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogNigerian singer, Joeboy, lost a N3million bet after Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Seven hours before kick-off, Joeboy posted a betting slip with the caption, “Cashing out on Arsenal tears tonight!”
The Controller crooner could have won N10,345,000 if Madrid has won at the Emirates.
But Declan Rice curled in two beautiful free-kicks to give the Gunners the lead, before Mikel Merino added a third.
The result left Joeboy short of words, as he could only tweet “Goodnight” at full time.
Arsenal will be looking to book their place in the semi-final when they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg next Wednesday.
Before that game, Mikel Arteta’s men host Brentford in the Premier League.
Published
1 day agoon
April 8, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogArsenal on Tuesday night thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg tie.
The first half ended in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
However, in the second half, Declan Rice’s brace and a goal from Mikel Merino gave Mikel Arteta’s side a first leg advantage ahead of the return leg next week.
Meanwhile, in the other Champions League last-8 first leg tie played, Inter Milan defeated Bayern Munich 2-1.
Lautaro Martinez gave the visitors the lead in the first half.
But Thomas Muller equalized for the hosts.
However, Davide Frattesi scored few minutes later to give the Serie A side a first leg advantage ahead of the return leg next week.
Meanwhile, the remaining quarter-final fixtures will continue on Wednesday.
Aston Villa will face Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona will clash with Dortmund.
Published
2 days agoon
April 7, 2025By
Ekwutos BlogNigeria has formally expressed interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Abuja.
The Nigerian Olympic Committee, NOC, made the announcement following an executive committee meeting held on 3 April in Abuja.
Ekwutosblog gathered that the bid can only move forward if it secures the official backing of the Federal Government.
In a statement issued on Monday by NOC’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya, the committee stressed that hosting the Commonwealth Games would offer a strategic platform for Nigeria to exhibit its strides in national development, improve its international profile, and deepen the culture of sports across the nation.
Nezianya described the bid as a unique opportunity to reflect Nigeria’s growth, elevate its standing among the community of nations, and inspire a new generation of athletes.
Nigeria last hosted a major multi-sport event in 2003, when the 8th All-Africa Games (COJA 2003) took place in Abuja. NOC noted that the success of that event demonstrated Nigeria’s capacity to organise large-scale international competitions and laid a strong foundation for future hosting ambitions.
A successful bid for the 2030 Games is expected to catalyse major investment in sports infrastructure, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.
NOC further stated that such infrastructural development would not only revitalise the nation’s sports economy but also provide lasting facilities for future generations.
Beyond infrastructure, the hosting of the Commonwealth Games would offer substantial economic and social benefits. The anticipated influx of international visitors would invigorate local businesses and the hospitality industry.
Meanwhile, the planning and execution of the event would generate employment and foster the acquisition of valuable technical and organisational skills.
According to the committee, the bid also seeks to present Nigeria as a nation that values athletic excellence, inclusiveness, peace, and cultural richness.
The next edition of the Commonwealth Games is set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 17 to 29 March 2026. Glasgow previously hosted the Games in 2014, the same year Nigeria submitted a bid but ultimately lost to Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Africa is also poised to make history by hosting the Youth Olympic Games for the first time, with Dakar, Senegal, scheduled to welcome young athletes from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
Other significant forthcoming events include the Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina in February 2027, the African Beach Games in Equatorial Guinea later that year, the 14th African Games in Egypt from January to February 2027, and the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in July 2028.
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