Nigeria boys’ teams in the junior and cadet events showed their clasa against others to merge as the best teams in the divisions at the ongoing ITTF World Junior Circuit Ghana Open holding in Accra, Ghana.
The Azeez Solanke and Jamiu Ayanwale inspired teams were flawless in all their matches from the group stages to the final where they defeated their Congo DRC and India counterparts in the finals late on Tuesday.
With the impressive performances, Nigeria emerged successful in both the junior boys’ team and cadet boys’ team events at the five-day tournament.
Azeez Solanke, Augustine Emmanuel and Abayomi Animasahun combined to win the junior title; in the cadet event, Taiwo Mati and Jamiu Ayanwale secured the top prize.
After recording a 3-0 penultimate round success against Ghana’s Augustine Baidoo and Samuel Hagan, the same margin of victory was recorded in the final when facing the Congo DRC formation comprising Christian Mbongia and Exauce Ngefussa.
Azeez Solanke gave his team the perfect start by beating Exauce Ngefussa (11-9, 11-7, 11-6), before Abayomi Animasahun overcame Christian Mbongia to extend the advantage; matters concluded with a four games doubles win (12-14, 11-6, 14-12, 11-5).
One contest earlier, at the semi-final stage, Christian Mbongia and Exauce Ngefussa had accounted for the partnership comprising Costa Rica’s Alfredo Sanchez and James Smith; a 3-1 verdict was the end result, the one win for the defeated being recorded by Alfredo Sanchez. In the opening match of the fixture, he beat Christian Mbongia (11-6, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9).
Comprehensive performances, Azeez Solanke and Abayomi Animasahun struck gold without being stretched the full five match distance at any stage of proceedings; it was the same for Taiwo Mati and Jamiu Ayanwale in the cadet boys’ team event.
A 3-1 success was the margin of victory in the final in opposition to India’s Mainak Nistala and Arnav Manoj Karnavar; after in the semi-final round a 3-0 victory had been posted against Saudi Arabia’s Salem Alsuwailem and Khalid Alshareif. An imposing performance from Taiwo Mati and Jamiu Ayanwale to book their place in the final, it was the same from Mainak Nistala and Arnav Manoj Karnavar. They posted a 3-0 win in opposition to Ghana’s Godwin Aseku and Godsword Daniel Tawiah.
Attention now turns to the singles events which are now in the knockout stage on Thursday April 4 at the Sports Emporium in Accra, Ghana.