D’Tigress lose to Germany in pre-Olympics warm-up game

D’Tigress of Nigeria were defeated 77-63 by Germany in a preparatory game ahead of the forthcoming Paris Olympics. 

Nigeria failed to match up against the Germans, who showed their superior class in the game played on Friday in Berlin, Germany.

Rena Wakama, D’Tigress head coach, named a starting line-up that comprises skipper Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Ezinne Kalu, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah, and Murjanatu Musa.

D’Tigress were impressive in the first quarter, but their brilliance waned by the second quarter, and Germany led 40-31 at halftime.

The Germans reinforced their superiority in the following quarters and finished the game with a 14-point victory.

Nigeria will play another test match against Serbia in Belgrade on July 21, then wrap up the preparatory stage against Japan on July 24 in Lille, France.

D’Tigress are drawn into tough Group B against Australia, Canada, and France.

The appearance in Paris will be the third time D’Tigress will be qualifying for the Olympic Games.

The ladies qualified for Athens 2004 and featured at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

D’Tigress are yet to register a win in the competition. In 2004, they lost all five games and conceded over 400 points.

In Tokyo, they were defeated 87-62 by France in their first game and also lost 81-72 to the US in their second game before a 102-83 loss to Japan in the last fixture.

D’Tigers failed to qualify for the Paris Games after falling short at the pre-qualifiers for the Olympics.