Canada vs Nigeria Preview: A Decisive Match for Both Teams, Can Canada Turn the Tables?

The women’s basketball group stage of the Olympic Games continues on August 4 at 7:30 PM, as Canada faces Nigeria. The outcome of this match will directly determine the allocation of spots for the next round, and for Canada, who has suffered two consecutive losses, a victory over Nigeria is their only path to escape their group.

Canada has lost both of its previous matches, falling by 21 points to the host nation France in its first game and then narrowly losing by 5 points to Australia in its second, placing them at the bottom of the group. However, they still have a chance to advance, provided they defeat Nigeria in this match and aim for a larger margin of victory. If Australia defeats France in the final round, Canada will secure third place in the group by defeating Nigeria, with considerations of net point differences against other third-place teams from other groups. If France defeats Australia, and Canada beats Nigeria, all three teams will end with one win and two losses, necessitating comparisons of small scores. Regardless of the scenario, net points are crucial for both teams.

Currently ranked 5th globally, Canada’s latest ranking places them 6th, indicating a strong paper-based strength. They feature multiple players from the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), including Candace of the Hornets, Nneka of Sparks, and Brittney of the Mystics, all of whom are notable WNBA players. In their first two games, Canada’s offensive performance was average, with a single quarter where they scored just 2 points against France, and only Nneka scored in double digits in both games. A positive note is that Candace’s form has improved, scoring a team-high of 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in the last game.

Nigeria is currently ranked 12th globally, with the latest rankings showing them at the bottom. However, in their opening game, they stunned the world by defeating top-tier powerhouse Australia by 13 points, securing the first Olympic victory for an African team in basketball history. In their second match against the host nation France, Nigeria collapsed in the second half, ultimately losing by 21 points.

Nigeria’s leading scorer is veteran Karla, who scored 19 points and 5 rebounds with 5 assists in the first game and 18 points in the second. In both games, she led the team in scoring. Musa contributed 11 and 14 points respectively, while Okonkwo and Amukamara also possess considerable strength. Nigeria’s players are known for their excellent physicality and fierce defense, making them a formidable opponent.

The two teams have only met once in major international competitions, in the 2018 World Cup, where Canada narrowly won 73-72 against Nigeria. Naturally, with significant changes to their rosters and the stakes being so high, the anticipation for the quality of this match is unwarranted.

>> For more predictions on this game, please click >>>