How Musa Emerged as D’Tigress’ Olympic Secret Weapon

Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, known as D’Tigress, received widespread acclaim for their outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Coach Rena Wakama and several players earned special recognition for their contributions.

Wakama was honored as the best coach of the Women’s Basketball Tournament, while Ezinne Kalu, a New Jersey-born point guard and three-time AfroBasket champion, was selected for the All-Second Team of the tournament. Key players such as Amy Okonkwo, Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, Elizabeth Balogun, and Promise Amukamara drew significant attention for their exceptional performances. However, Murjanatu Musa’s pivotal role in the team’s success has not received as much spotlight.

Musa’s contributions were crucial to D’Tigress’s historic achievement, marking their first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals. This milestone also made them the first African team, male or female, to reach this stage in Olympic basketball. The team’s success was largely attributed to their tenacious defense, shot contesting, and overall physicality—traits that Musa exemplified throughout the tournament.

Despite her role primarily being associated with physical play, Musa also made a notable impact in statistical categories. According to FIBA, she was the team’s second-highest scorer with an average of 10.7 points per game and led in rebounding with 6.7 rebounds per game. Her efficiency on the court, ranking third in the team, reflects her valuable contributions.

The performance of D’Tigress in Paris was a significant improvement from their previous Olympic appearance in Tokyo, where they lost all three group games. This time, their resilience and defensive prowess were evident, with Musa playing a central role. During the tournament, Nigeria’s defense became a hallmark of their play, exemplified by their ability to force numerous turnovers.

In their notable victory over Australia, they induced 26 turnovers and secured 15 steals. Even in their defeat to France, they forced 17 turnovers and registered nine steals. Overall, Nigeria forced 69 turnovers and 40 steals across three group games.

In their game against the United States, although they lost, the African champions earned global admiration. Their 74 points against the U.S. marked a record for consecutive games with 73 or more points in the Olympics. Their performance in the fourth quarter, scoring 26 points, was the highest the U.S. has conceded in the last period of the competition.

Moreover, D’Tigress managed to hold the U.S. to their smallest winning margin in an Olympic quarterfinal, where they typically win by 15 points or more.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress showcased remarkable growth and resilience at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with significant contributions from all team members, especially Murjanatu Musa, whose efforts were instrumental in achieving a historic milestone for African basketball.