12th African Games: Omotayo downs Quadri to win table tennis gold

A new champion has emerged in Africa as Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo defeated compatriot – Aruna Quadri to win the men’s singles title at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

Omotayo who had defeated two former champions – Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh and Nigeria’s Segun Toriola in the quarterfinal and semifinal stages was at his best against Quadri.

He raced to the lead from the start of the match-winning the first three games at 13-11, 11-9, 16-14. But a spirited effort from Quadri claimed the fourth and fifth games at 8-11, 13-15. But in the sixth game, Omotayo was in full force to humble Quadri at 12-10 to become the new African champion at 25.

“I am very happy about winning the African Games. I am so proud of myself because this is a big one for my career and it was a good journey for me from the start of this competition having won against some of the best players in the continent,” Olajide Omotayo said.