World table tennis star player Aruna Quadri inspired Nigeria into the final of the team events at the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior championship
Nigeria defeated Congo Brazaville to set a date with host – Egypt in the battle for the top prize in the final of the team events at the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior championship in Cairo.
The two teams will be aiming for the gold medals in the men and women events of the championship. To make it to the final of the women division, Nigeria walloped Algeria 3-0, while Egypt had a narrow escape against Congo Brazzaville in the thrilling semifinal tie which ended 3-2 in favour of the North Africans.
In the men cadre, it was Ojo Onaolapo who started the rout against Congo Brazzaville team made up of Nigeria’s trio of Saheed Idowu, Saka Suraju and Abiodun Lawal. Idowu gave Onaolapo a run for the win as the game was stretched to five with the left-hand Onaolapo winning 3-2.
ITTF World Player of the year, Aruna Quadri did not disappoint the fans in the second match against Suraju as he whitewashed the ageing Congolese star 3-0 to put the game at 2-0 in favour of the West Africa power house.
Homegrown Kazeem Makanjuola had a torrid time against Lawal as the game was stretched to five but it was the Congolese that won 3-2 to put the match at 2-1.
To ensure that Nigeria sail through, Quadri completed the victory with a 3-0 win over Idowu.
On Sunday, the two finals will be played at the International Hall of Police Sports Association in Cairo.
Since the commencement of the competition, Quadri has not dropped any match, which table tennis buffs believe has confirmed his rating as world’s best.
Enitan Obadina
@enitanoba
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