You can’t underestimate Toriola’s experience in Nigeria, admits Saleh

After watching his team lost 1-3 to Nigeria in the final of the ITTF African Championships in Mauritius, Egypt’s captain, Ahmed Saleh has said that any team that underestimate the experience of Segun Toriola does so at its own peril in any major competition.

Saleh admitted that it was Toriola’s win over Khaled Assar that changed the tone of the match against Nigeria.

“That Toriola is old is just a talk because he is still playing well with big experience which cannot be underestimated. He is always a dangerous player in the team event and he knows how to change things for Nigeria because he did that at the 2015 African Games in Congo Brazzaville when he beats Omar Assar to help Nigeria claimed gold in the men’s team event. Again, he showed his quality in Mauritius against Khaled and this for us was what really affected our plans in the final,” Saleh said.

“Initially, our plan was that at least Aruna Quadri will win his two matches while we will ensure we win all our three matches because after Mohammed El-Beiali beat Bode Abiodun, we had thought that Khaled Assar will beat Toriola but it was not so as the veteran turned thigns around. So we know that Toriola is always a dangerous player with a lot of experience,” he added.

Lamenting the loss to Nigeria, Saleh said it was a painful defeat as they had failed to retain their title as well as lost the Africa’s sole slot to the 2019 World Team Cup to Nigeria. “I am not happy at all because we have lost our title and I must say that if Omar Assar has been part of this team, it would have been a great advantage for us. Although it might not be a total edge for us but we are fully sure that we can sail through,” the former African Champion lamented.