Joe
In what promises to be a crucial encounter, the French women’s basketball team will take on Nigeria, with the outcome likely determining the top spot in Group B at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Both teams secured dramatic victories in their opening games, but France currently leads the group with a superior point difference, making this matchup pivotal.
Historically, the teams have clashed three times, with France winning two and Nigeria one. Notably, Nigeria triumphed in their last meeting, a 67-65 upset at the 2022 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where Victoria Macaulay led the scoring with 18 points and Oderah Chidom excelled in rebounds and assists.
The game will be held at Lille’s Pierre Mauroy Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 27,000. The match is set to tip off at 11:00 AM ET on Thursday, August 1, and will be broadcast on NBC’s Peacock and Fubo, along with relevant USA channels.
France, known for their consistent podium finishes, are confident of securing another victory. In their opener against Canada, Marieme Badiane scored 13 points and led in rebounds, while Gabby Williams added 12 points and led in assists. The French team aims to move to four points from two games, ensuring their qualification regardless of the Canada vs. Australia result.
On the other hand, Nigeria, ranked 12th in the FIBA World Rankings, defied expectations by defeating No. 3 Australia in their first game. Ezinne Kalu shone with 19 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Promise Amukamara added 14 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds. Quick counterattacks will be key if Nigeria hopes to continue their Olympic journey and challenge the hosts.
With both teams having secured a win in their opening matches, the game is wide open. However, the skill and experience of French players like Valeriane Ayayi, Gabby Williams, and Marieme Badiane, coupled with home-court advantage, may give France the edge to advance to the knockout stage for the fifth time.
