AAG: Nigeria hits quarter final in table tennis

Nigeria men and women teams did not drop a
match at the ongoing 2015 African Games to
qualify for the quarterfinal round of the team
event in table tennis.
From the start, the male team took every match
serious by ensuring that they defeated their
opponents with same margin of 3-0. Four teams
– Tunisia, Botswana, Namibia and Sudan were
drawn with Nigeria in group two and true to their
rating, the team completed the rout of all the four
teams with an emphatic 3-0 bashing of Tunisia
to top the group.
Also, the women team led by veteran, Olufunke
Oshonaike took a cue from their male
counterpart when they hammered Botswana and
Mauritius 3-0 to top the group and berth in the
last eight of the championship.
Debutant Ojo Onaolapo told NationSport Friday
that he is happy making his final debut at the
games but admitted that the best matches are
yet to start. “I am happy that I have finally made
my debut at the games and I am happy being
part of the team’s qualification for the
quarterfinal. But I must admit that the best
matches are yet to start because when it gets to
semifinal where Nigeria may likely face Egypt or
Congo Brazzaville, that is when we will start
feeling the competition. For now, we are just
warming up for the big matches,” Onaolapo said.
Like Onaolapo, another debutant, Rashidat
Ogundele described her experience at the
games as challenging as she is hoping to make
podium in her first outing at the games.
However, players from Uganda and Angola are
being encouraged to aim high with the
performance display by Oshonaike.
Uganda’s Amina Kibone told NationSport that
she is impressed that despite her age,
Oshonaike still plays good than other younger
players. “I thought I was too old at 23 to play
table tennis but when I saw Oshonaike, I now
know that I am still young to play. I am really
encouraged by her performance,” she said.
Ruth Alvares and Isabel Albino are fascinated by
the style of play of Oshonaike whom they
described as a legend of the game.