Team Nigeria continued their statement performance on day 6 at the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State with an unmatched verve as three players advanced into the final 4 in the men’s singles category, sports247.ng learns
Anuolwapo Opeyori, Godwin Olofua and Clement Krobakpo all won their quarter final matches with style to set an almost all Nigerian affair at the 2019 All Africa Senior Championships. They are the best three ranked players in the country according to recent rankings.
The toughest of the quarter final bunch was between Godwin Olofua and the experienced tournament’s fifth seed, Ahmed Salah from Egypt. Salah’s experience payed off in the first set with an impressive 16-21 advantage. However, his efforts in the second proved agonizingly, abortive as they Nigerian regained focus to come back on parity with a 21-14 score line.
Godwin Olofua then wrapped up the third set 21-12 in better fashion and stamina to join the country’s growing list in the final stages.
Anuolwapo Opeyori did not have to break a sweat against his quarter final opposition – Youcef Sabri Medel of Algeria with a smart twin result of 21-10, 21-10.
Opeyori is Nigeria’s number one male player and second seed in the men’s singles.
While Clement Krobakpo did not have to dig too far into himself to beat Mauritius youngster, Jean Bernard Bongout 21-15, 21-14, the impressive Gideon Babalola was stopped in his quarter final match against top seed, Paul Julien Georges.
The women’s singles last four also has two Nigeria representation – Dorcas Adesokan and the inform Zainab Alabi.
The tournament’s breakthrough player so far, Zainab Alabi reached for her depth to defeat Uganda’s Gladys Mbabazi 21-17, 19-21, 21-14 in three sets.
Fortune smiled at the country’s mixed doubles pair of Enejo Abah and Peace Orji after they tied their quarter final clash against Daniel Sam/ Jennifer Abitty at 1-1 before the former retired due to muscle strain.
The Nigeria contingent also dominated the men’s doubles women’s doubles; with a healthy representation in all five categories and the progress so far is re-echoing BFN’s firm statement that the country is hosting the win this year’s championships.
Team Nigeria already secured the team event gold on day three in a riveting 2-3 final against Mauritius on Wednesday.
RESULTS: QUARTER FINAL
MS:
Clement Krobakpo (21-15, 21-14) Jean Bernard Bongout
Anuolwapo Opeyori (21-10, 21-10) Youcef Sabri Medel
Julien Paul (22-20, 21-12) Gideon Babalola
Godwin Olofua (16-21, 21-14, 21-12) Ahmed Salah
WS:
Zainab Alabi (21-17, 19-21, 21-14) Gladys Mbabazi
Kate Foo Kune (21-18 19-21 27-25) Johanita Scholtz
Doha Hany (21-9 21-17) Chineye Ibere
Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan (21-10 21-18) Megan De Beer
MD:
Enejoh Abah/ Isaac Minaphee (22-20 21-18) Gideon Babalola/ Clement Krobakpo
Anuoluwapo Juwon/ Godwin Olofua (13-21 21-11 21-10) Melvin Appiah/ Aatish Lubah
Koceila Mammeri/ Youcef Sabri Medel (21-19 21-13) Ali Ahmed El Khateeb/ Adham Hatem Elgamal
Abdelrahman Abdelhakim/ Ahmed Salah (11-21 21-14 21-18) Jean Bernard Bongout/ Tejraj Pultoo
WD:
Augustina Ebhomien Sunday/ Peace Orji (21-16 21-16) Doha Hany/ Hadia Hosny
Dorcas Ajoke Adesokan/ Deborah Ukeh (21-19 21-15) Megan De Beer/ Johanita Scholtz
Eyram YAA Migbodzi/ Perpertual Mensah Quaye (Walkover) Mitchelle Gaza/ Kuzivakwashe Tritania Mudzamiri
Amin Yop Christopher/ Chineye Ibere (21-18 21-13) Aurelie Marie Elisa Allet/ Kobita Dookhee
XD:
Ahmed Salah/ Hadia Hosny (21-19 21-13) Jarred Elliott/ Megan De Beer
Enejoh Abah/ Peace Orji (17-21 21-6 13-3 Retired) Daniel Sam/ Jennifer Abitty
Koceila Mammeri/ Linda Mazri (23-21 21-19) Tejraj Pultoo/ Kobita Dookhee
Adham Hatem Elgamal/ Doha Hany (21-13 19-21 21-13) Isaac Minaphee/ Zainab Damilola Alabi
