Nigeria beat host Egypt 3-2 to qualify for the men’s team final of the ongoing 2024 All African Senior Badminton Championship in Egypt, www.aclsports.com reports.
Anuoluwapo Opeyori surprisingly lost to Adham El-Gamal 1-2 (21-15, 6-21, 11-21) in the first men’s singles match of the Day 3. In a similar fashion, Godwin Olofua succumbed to Ahmed Salah 0-2 (14-21, 10-21) before Victor Ikechukwu rose to the occasion and gave Nigeria a lifeline by beating Mohamed Kamel 2-1 (14-21, 21-8, 21-17).
A determined pair of Godwin Olofua and Anuoluwapo Opeyori fought from the blast of the whistle defeating Adham El-Gamal and Ahmed Salah 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 21-18) in a very tensed match before Joseph Emmanuel and Victor Ikechukwu sealed Nigeria win over Ezzat Kareem and Mohamed Kamel 2-0 (21-17, 21-16) in the men’s doubles.
Nigeria will face Algeria in the men’s team final of the All African Senior Badminton Championship on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria lost to South Africa 2-3 in the women’s team at the All African Seniors.
Zainab Alabi lost to Johanita Scholtz by 0-2 (7-21, 11-21) before Sofiat Obanisola made it 1-1 with a win over Diane Oliver 2-0 (21-13, 21-10). Dorcas Adesokan gave Nigeria a deserved lead after beating Diedre Laurens 2-0 (21-15, 21-15).
South Africa’s Megan De Beer and Johanita Scholtz levelled up after beating Nigeria’s Deborah Ukeh and Ramatu Yakubu 2-1 (21-16, 8-21, 21-18) before snatch victory with the win from Amy Ackerman and Deidre Laurens beating Dorcas Adesokan and Sofiat Obanisola 2-1 (17-21, 21-12, 21-15).
Nigeria will face Algeria in the third place match at the ongoing All African Seniors Championships.
The President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih charged the men’s team to beat Algeria in the final adding that the women’s team stands a brighter chance of winning a bronze medal.
Orbih said, “I am very proud of both teams, they have shown that Nigeria is the home of badminton. I am calling on the men’s team to bring home the trophy and I have a strong belief that the girls will triumph against Algeria in their third place match”.
