Australia’s Boomers proved their number 1 status in the world by defeating high-flying D’Tigers on Sunday in both teams Olympics basketball opener.
Nigeria’s D’Tigers, touted by many as giant killers after defeating USA and Argentina in exhibitions, were left to rue many missed opportunities to stand toe-to-toe against the Aussies.
D’Tigers stood up to the Boomers in the first two quarters of the game, standing at 43-40 but allowed the Australians run rings round them as the game progressed, while also failing to convert most 50% of their free throws. Australia on the other hand converted 90% of their free throws. Nigeria also scored 46% of their 2-point tries while only managing 29% of their three-pointers, with Milwaukee Bucks’ Jordan Nwora scoring Nigeria’s highest point with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
The Nigerians are Africa’s sole representative in basketball at the Olympics and will slug it out with Germany on Wednesday to bounce back and fuel their medal hopes.
In football, Ivory Coast held Brazil to a goalless draw despite having a numerical advantage for large spells of the game. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie were on parade for the Ivorians who battled the more respected Brazilians. South Africa’s U-23 also lost their second game at the Olympics to the French team, falling to an Andre Pierre Gignac’s hattrick and a Teji Savanier winner. The South Africans drew the first blood in the 53rd minute but couldn’t sustain the tempo of the game, eventually losing 4-3 at the death to the French.
South Africa had lost 1-0 to Japan in their opening fixture.