Team Nigeria at the ongoing Thomas and Uber Cup in Algeria have made it to the finals following their respective victories in the male and female event on Wednesday.
In the Women’s category, Team Nigeria overcame one of the favourites in the tournament, Egypt 3-2 in a very cagey affair as Nigeria and Africa number one player, Dorcas Adesokan came from a set down to beat her opponent , Hadia Hosnia, 17-21, 21-7,21-17. Another Nigerian, Zainab Momoh however lost her game against Doha Hany 21-16, 19-21, 21-17. However, Deborah Ukeh however restored Nigeria’s lead beating Salmeen Essam 21-12, 21-8.
In the women’s doubles, the Egyptian duo of Doha Hany and Hadia Hosnia won 21-19, 18-21, 21-16 against the duo of Dorcas Adesokan and Deborah Ukeh but the Nigerian pair of Peace Orji and Zainab Momoh put the game beyond the Egyptians winning in straight set 21-9 , 21-16 against Salmeen Essam and Hona Terek to qualify for Thursday’s final.
In the Men’s category, Team Nigeria were ruthless against their North African foes beating Morocco 3-0 to qualify for the semi-final. In the semi-final, Clement Krobapor in his usual way won the first game for Nigeria beating Emmanuel Yaw 21-10, 21-17 .The Ghanaians fought back with Habeeb Bello losing to Abraham Ayittey 21-19, 21-15 to make it 1-1. Anuoluapo restored the country’s lead with a 21-13, 21-16 victory against Daniel Sam in the third game to make it 2-1 for Nigeria.
In the doubles event, the duo of Enejoh Abah and Clement Kropabor sealed the final ticket for Nigeria crushing the pair of Abraham Ayittey and Michael Okpotu 21-12, 21-13 .
Team Nigeria in the women’s final will play Mauritius while in the men’s category Nigeria will play host country Algeria on Thursday.
