Aruna Quadri defeated defending champion, Egypt’s Omar Assar 4-3 in the semi-final of the ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup after on Tuesday in Tunisia, Completesports.com reports.
The tie between the two best players in Africa had all the elements of world class match and the fans at the Rades Multi-Purpose Hall were not disappointed with the display by the two Africans.
Also Read: PUMA Deal Update: AFN Petitions Police, Wants Gusau Probed
Assar drew the first blood with a 2-0 (11-6, 11-5) lead over the Quadri but the tide changed when the Nigerian worked his way back into the game with two successive wins of 11-4, 14-12 to put the tie at 2-2.
For the spectators, there was no dull moment in the encounter and again, Assar took charge of the game with another 11-7 win to put the match at 3-2 and in his usual element Quadri fought back again to level with 11-5 win to put the tie at 3-3.
The deciding game was as if the Egyptian would leave the table on time but Quadri again extended the match to 7-7. But three consecutive unforced errors gave Assar a 10-8 lead as the Egyptian needed one point to hit the final.
Quadri had a lot in his sleeve as he wriggled his way back into the game to put the tie at deuce (10-10). Even when the Nigerian led at 11-10, a crucial time-out was what he needed to claim the match.
To put the match beyond the Egyptian, an unforced error from Assar handed Quadri a 4-3 win being his second consecutive win over the Egyptian in any major competition. In their last meeting at the 2019 African Games, it was Quadri who won 4-2.
Nigeria’s Offiong Edem and defending champion, Egypt’s Dina Meshref will battle for the title in the women’s final.
The winners of the tournament are expected to represent Africa at the 2020 ITTF World Cups.
By James Agberebi
4 Secrets To Becoming Rich – How To Get Rich From Nothing: This ebook is a must read for anyone serious about exiting the rate race…. Copyright © 2020 Completesports.com All rights reserved. The information contained in Completesports.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the prior written authority of Completesports.com.
You may be interested
Done Deal: Falconets Forward Joins American Club Carolina Ascent
Webby - November 16, 2024Former Falconets forward Opeyemi Ajakaye has joined USL Super League club, Carolina Ascent FC on loan.Ajakaye linked up with Carolina…
Orban’s Lyon Face Provisional Relegation To Ligue 2 Amid Financial Woes
Webby - November 15, 2024Olympique Lyon the club of Nigerian striker Gift Orban, have been handed a provisional Ligue 1 relegation by theDNCG who…
Ghana Miss Out On AFCON 2025 Qualification After Draw With Angola
Webby - November 15, 2024Black Stars of Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s AFCON was ended after they played a 1-1 draw away…