ITTF AFRICA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP: NIGERIA DOMINATES MEN'S DOUBLES EVENT

Nigeria halted Egypt's clean sweep of medals at the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championship on Tuesday night in the men’s doubles event.

In the semi-final stage of the Men’s Doubles event, El-Sayed Lashin and Ahmed Ali Saleh, the top seeds, were defeated by Nigeria’s Makanjuola Kazeem and Quadri Aruna, the no.4 seeds (9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9); the reverse coming soon after another decision had gone the way of Nigeria.

Ojo Onaolapo and Jide Ogidiolu, the no.11 seeds, ousted Khalid and Omar Assar, the no.2 seeds (7-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10, 11-2).

“I think we communicated a great deal during the match and we did not allow them to attack”, said Ojo Onaolapo. 

“I just told my partner not to be under pressure and ensure he put the ball on the table because I realized that they cannot cope with my topspin play; we were very focused.” Ojo Onaolapo was quoted as saying.

Also a very determined Makanjuola Kazeem is enjoying a dream come true moment in Egypt 

“I knew that with the way we played in the first game, if we were able to play like that we have the chance to beat the Egyptians”, said Makanjuola Kazeem. 

“Before the competition, I had said I want to come and beat the Egyptians and thank God it has become a reality.”

It was a fine effort but of course he had very good support; his partner has stunned the world in the past six months.

“Quadri Aruna told me to play short whenever possible and see what comes next; I did that and it worked well”, added Makanjuola Kazeem.

“I am so happy that we were able to break the Egyptians dominance of the competition in this doubles and we hope for more in the singles.”

The final match will be an all Nigerian affair late on Wednesday. With the two wins for Nigeria at the semi-final stage of the Men’s Doubles event, it was the exact reverse in the same round of the Women’s Doubles competition.

Olaide Atinuke and Olufunke Oshonaike, the no.6 seeds, suffered a heart breaking seven games defeat against Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing and Onyinyechi Nwachukwu, the no.2 seeds (6-11, 11-9, 13-15, 11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 13-11).

The defeat came after Cecilia Akpan and Offiong Edem, the no.4 seeds, had been beaten by Egypt’s Nadeen El-Dawlatly and Dina Meshref, the top seeds (11-3, 11-7, 7-11, 4-11, 12-10, 15-13).

“I think we played better after we won the first game; they started to raise their game and we lost concentration, after being two-nil ahead”, said Dina Meshref.

“We figured out that they were rushing us, we slowed down the game and this gave us an edge to win.”

“We played with a great deal of top spin”, added Dina Meshref. 

“At the 2011 All Africa Games we had lost to them, so we were really motivated.”

Enitan Obadina

@enitanoba