The four-time Olympian dreams of finally stepping onto the podium at the Paris Games. Canada was eliminated from the Olympic tournament on Sunday after a 79-70 loss at the hands of Nigeria.
The Unifolié representatives were winless in their three preliminary round matches and finished bottom of their group, which also included France and Australia.
“You’re facing the best in the world. It’s a two-way situation, every possession and every game. If you want to compete with the best in the world, you have to show up every possession and every game teams are better than us.
-Natalie Achonwa
After finishing ninth at the Tokyo Games, Canada enters this summer’s tournament ranked fifth in the world. The team was expected to contend for a medal, but struggled with turnovers and defense in losses to Nigeria, Australia and France.
The Canadian women’s Olympic journey collapsed in just two quarters, analyzed head coach Victor Lapena.
“I think we have two terrible paths in this tournament: the second quarter against France and the third quarter against Nigeria,” he said. “I thought the rest of the minutes this team played good basketball. I’m very proud of them.”
The Nigerians put a lot of pressure on the Canadians early in the game, causing many turnovers and taking a 10-2 lead midway through the first quarter.
Canada rallied to take the lead in the second quarter, thanks in part to three three-pointers by point guard Shay Colley. The team led 41-37 at halftime.
Nigeria then exploded with a 15 point run in the third quarter.
“We just couldn’t match their physicality in the second half,” said Colley, who led Canada with 17 points. They caused a lot of turnovers and they took advantage of it. We didn’t do our job and it showed in the nine-point loss.”
Nigeria (2-1) saw Ezinne Kalu score 21 points, while Elizabeth Balogun added 14. They are the first African team – male or female – to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games.
“It feels good,” said Nigeria captain Amy Okonkwo. “It feels so good to be able to accomplish this for our country, our families, ourselves. It is a great achievement and I am very proud that it is from us.
The Germany-United States and Australia-France duels, later on Sunday, will determine the quarter-finals, which begin on Wednesday in Paris.
Meanwhile, Canada will go home empty-handed.
“It’s very disappointing and we just have to look forward,” Colley stated. “We are a young team and we need to improve on that.”
Subsequent teams will not include the 31-year-old veteran Achonwa in their ranks. He confirmed on Sunday that this will be his last game in a Canadian uniform.
Achonwa said the result was not what he wanted, but the victories were not what mattered.
“It’s not just about the result. It’s about the journey,” he suggested, with emotion. “These are the people you invite to your weddings, that my son will know for the rest of his life, and that’s bigger than basketball.”
Achonwa holds the women’s national team record for most Olympic Games played (four), Olympic games played (18) and assists (43).