France vs Nigeria Prediction & Betting Tips - Olympic Matches Women

Prediction published on 31/07/2024, 09:34  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 31/07/2024 at 09:39 in Basketball Predictions

France and Nigeria, will face off in Group B of the women’s basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. Both teams won their respective opening round games to occupy the top two slots in the pool. Here’s a look at the match preview and our prediction.

France began their tournament with a 75-54 victory over Canada. Jean-Aime Toupane’s troops dominated from inside the arc against Canada, shooting 56% to Canada’s 39%. After losing the first quarter 18-15, France took charge and never looked back.

In the second quarter, they scored 21 straight points. Marieme Badiane led Les Bleues with 13 points. Gabby Williams would add 12 more as well as eight assists. On the back of that performance, France will be eyeing a third win in four meetings with Nigeria. Their most recent success came in the group stages of the 2020 Olympics, a tournament they went on to win bronze.

The last time these two nations faced off, Nigeria defeated France to claim their first win in this fixture. That was an exciting 67-65 victory in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifying tournament in Belgrade.

Africa’s sole representatives in Paris will be eager to cause another upset. Their first result at these games was already a shock one. The D’Tigress began their third Olympics appearance with a 75-62 victory over three-time silver medalists Australia.

That result ended a run of four successive defeats. Ezinne Kalu put up a game-high 19 points and was one of four Nigeria players with double-digit points. Rena Wakam’s players shot 43% from the field and 40% from three, converting 10 of 25 attempts from behind the arc.