Nigeria’s national table tennis men’s team emerged victorious as they won gold while the Women’s team lost out to Egypt in the final at the International Table Tennis Federation Africa Senior Championships in Mauritius.
Quadri Aruna and Segun Toriola recorded wins in their respective games over Egypt to hand Nigeria a 3-1 win in the final of the men’s team event.
Aruna defeated Saleh Ahmed 3-2 (11-9,9-11,11-3,9-11,11-2) in the first game but Egypt drew level after Bode Abiodun had lost in three straight (10-12,9-11,4-11) sets to El Beiali Mohamed.
Toriola handed Nigeria a 2-1 lead defeating Assar Khalid 3-2 (13-11,1-11,8-11,11-8,11-8). Aruna sealed the win for Nigeria defeating Mohamed 3-2 (5-11,11-7,11-13,11-5,11-6).
In the women’s category, Nigeria lost 3-1 to Egypt in the final of the competition.
Dina Meshref gave the Egyptian women’s team a bright start defeating Offiong Edem 3-1 (11-5,4-11,11-3, 11-4) but Funke Oshonaike restored parity for Nigeria edging Abdel Aziz Farah 3-2 (11-6,5-11,11-5,9-11,11-13).
Helmy Yousra shot Egypt back into a 2-1 lead spanking Effiom Janet 3-1 (11-8,4-11,11-4,11-9). Oshonaike had a chance to draw NIgeria level but she lost in three straight sets (13-11,11-8,11-6) to Meshref who had earlier defeated Offiong Edem 3-1.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
