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Olajide Omotayo gave an inkling of what he has in stock again at the 12th African Games as the Nigerian defeated one of the continent's most celebrated star - Egypt's Ahmed Saleh 4-3 in the quarterfinal of men's singles to berth in the semifinal of table tennis. A jubilant Olajide Omotayo Omotayo was all over the Egyptian in the encounter which had the fans glued to their seat throughout the match. The Nigerian combined his backhand with forehand smoothly and this confused the Egyptian who had to surrendered to the youthful Nigerian star. Aside Omotayo, Aruna Quadri also walloped Congo Brazzaville's Saheed Idowu 4-0 to berth in the last four and set up a rematch of the ITTF Africa Cup against Egypt's Omar Assar on Thursday August 29. Seven-time Olympian Segun Toriola was at his very best when he also beat Egypt's Khalid Assar 4-3 to set up a semifinal clash against Omotayo. In the women's event, Olufunke Oshonaike played her last game after going ...

Team Nigeria medal score card at the ongoing All African Games Nigeria is currently placed 6th in overall medal's table

The dominance of Egypt in the table tennis event at the ongoing 12th African Games was halted on Monday August 26 after Nigeria and Algeria claimed gold medals in the women and men doubles event. Algerian team celebrating their 1st ever AAG table tennis Gold triumph The rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt came to fore in the semifinal of the women's doubles at the 12th African Games with the West African team halting the dominance of their North African counterpart. Having ruled the team and mixed doubles events, the Egyptians were stopped from making a clean sweep of gold medal in the doubles event after they were beaten in the semifinal of the women's doubles by Nigeria. Nigerian pair of Edem Offiong and Cecilia Akpan were the ones that stopped Egypt's Dina Meshref and Yousra Helmy from berthing in the final with a 3-2 (12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-8) win to set up a Nigerian affairs in the final. A comeback from Olufunke Oshonaike and Fatimo Bello against Algeria...

The battle between the bigwigs in African table tennis brought out the best in Nigeria and Egypt at the 12th African Games with Egypt securing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games tickets in the men and women events after emerging as the continental champions. Olmpics bound Egypt's team, the Undefeated Champions in the respective men's team and women's team events at the 2019 Africans Games. With this development, the Egyptian teams became the first country to berth in Tokyo and was also rewarded with two gold medals to increase the medal haul of Egypt in Morocco. It was the Egyptian ladies that first secured their slot after beating Nigeria 3-2 in the final. The comeback of the Nigeria team was thwarted by Dina Meshref. The Nigerian ladies were down 2-0 but spirited efforts from Edem Offiong and Olufunke Oshonaike put the match at par but the Egyptians Meshref's damped the African champions hope of sensational back-to-back All African Games' tennis gold medals in ...

The Nigeria Ambassador to Morocco, Baba Garba could not hide his passion for table tennis when he was on hand on Thursday August 22, to cheer the players during the quarterfinal tie against Morocco at the Salle Moulay El Hassan Hall, venue of the table tennis event of the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco. The Ambassador was accompanied by some officials of the mission including the Head of Chancery, Adamu Ibrahim Gombe took time to chat with the players while urging ensure they pick the continental sole ticket to Tokyo 2020. He however, promised to cheer the team in the finals which hold on Friday August 23, 2019. "We just need to continue to inspire our athletes as my coming here is to motivate the players to give their best and make the country proud. We are excited with their performance and I am looking forward to cheering them during the finals," the envoy said. For Olufunke Oshonaike, the presence of the ambassador was commendable and we hope we can do our best...

The two powerhouses in Africa, Nigeria and Egypt played with ease in their group matches of table tennis event of the 12th African Games holding in Rabat, Morocco. As the top seeds in men and women events, Kenya and Madagascar were no match to the Nigerians while the Egyptian men also thumbed Eritrea and Congo DRC to top group A and B. They are expected to get a bye to the quarterfinal stage. Just like it happened in the men's event, so it was in the women category, as the Nigerian ladies led by six-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike walloped Congo Brazzaville and Uganda 3-0 while Egypt also inflicted same defeat on Morocco and Kenya to progress to the last eight of the competition. But the order was tilted in Group D of the men's event as unseeded Senegal upset number four seed, Algeria 3-2 to top the group, while Togo also beat Ghana by same margin to emerge as the top team in Group E. The battle for the continental sole slot in the men and women event for the Tokyo 202...

The Edo State Sports Commission in conjunction with the Edo State Football Association have concluded plans to welcome the Football Coaches Association of Africa Nations (FCAAN) to Benin-City for a week long Coaching Course for grassroot football coaches. Speaking in Benin-City after reaching an agreement with the founder of FCAAN, Dr Babatunde Terry Eguaoje all the way from the USA, Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Barrister Godwin Dudu-Orumen disclosed that the training and re-training of Coaches is of utmost importance to the game of football at this stage of our football development. Godwin Dudu-Orumen, Chairman Edo State Sports Commission "We have just concluded plans with Dr Babatunde Terry Eguaoje to bring the FCAAN training model to Edo State. Our focus now in Nigeria just like any other serious nation should be on grassroot youth soccer development and coaching education. Football Coaches in Nigeria needs a re-training of their mind and re-orientation ...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Monday that they were "shocked" by a life ban on former national team coach Samson Siasia by FIFA for bribery, vowing to overturn it. Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF Acting President On Friday, the governing body of world football banned Siasia, 52, from football, following a long-running investigation into convicted match-fixer, Wilson Raj Perumal. After his arrest, Perumal collaborated with investigators. FIFA's Ethics Committee found Siasia "guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics." Siasia, a striker, played 51 times for Nigeria and had two short spells as national coach. Acting NFF president Seyi Akinwunmi said in a statement that the FIFA report had been give to the body's lawyers "to study and provide legal advice to the federation," he said, adding that Siasia "gave his all for Nigeria....

He may not often challenge for titles on the ITTF World Tour, but Nigeria's Quadri Aruna has distinguished himself by being ranked inside top 25 male table tennis players in the world. Born and raised in Oyo, south-western Nigeria, Aruna moved to Lagos in the early 2000s after unexpectedly capturing the country’s cadet title at the turn of the century. Widely regarded as Africa’s best player of the last decade, the highly popular two-time Olympian is a man who understands that hanging in there and biding his time can pay off in big ways. Small defeats today can reform themselves, contributing to big victories tomorrow. The philosophy came in handy this week in Panagyurishte, Bulgaria, where the 31-year-old beat Japanese superstar Jun Mizutani in seven games (8-11, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 4-11, 13-11) to reach the men’s singles semi-finals at the Bulgaria Open for the second time in three years, notching his best result on the 2019 ITTF World Tour along the way. There...

The battle for Africa's slots in the men and women team events of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games begins on Wednesday August 21 at the 12th African Games holding in Rabat, Morocco. 18 men teams and 12 women teams will battle for the continental sole slot in the men and women event of Tokyo 2020. The continental powerhouses - Nigeria and Egypt are top seeds in the men and women events with Nigeria men aiming to defend the title they won in 2015, while the Egyptian ladies led by Dina Meshref will also be keen to hold to the title. Both teams have been handed an easy ride to the knockout stage with Nigeria drawing Madagascar and Kenya in Group A of men while Egypt is in Group B alongside Congo DRC and Eritrea. In the women draw, Egypt as the top seed is in Group A with Kenya and Morocco while Nigeria has been pitched against Uganda and Congo Brazzaville in Group B. The top seven teams in the event will also secure qualification to the 2020 World Team Championships holding in Busan...

Engineer Habu Gumel, President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, has expressed confidence in the ability of Nigeria topping the overall medals table at the end of the 12th Africa Games, Rabat, Morocco. The Nigerian contingent at the 12th AAG, Morocco Speaking during the welcome ceremony of Nigeria's contingents to the Games Village, Gumel charged the athletes to be of behavio and good ambassadors of the country, while thanking the government of Morocco for welcoming the team, stating that Nigeria has a good working relationship with the Moroccan government, assuring that Nigeria is here to win the games and win it clean. "We are here to win the games, as you can see Morocco is our home, definitely we will win but stressed that every athletes must stay away from what can tarnish the image of the country, Gumel, the international Olympic member concluded". The Nigeria contingent were admitted to the games village in a colourful ceremony today in Rabat, Morocco. ...

Bolaji Yusuf representing the Nigeria Judo Federation President, NJF,  Prince Timothy Nsirim at the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco  has predicted a bright future for the sport of Judo in the Nigeria.   Bolaji Yusuf Yusuf, a board member of the Nigeria Judo Federation and the South West zonal representative said with what he saw here in Rabat, Nigeria has a very good chance of dominating the sport in Africa. Speaking further, the former Senior Special Assistant on Sports Facilities in Lagos stated that all that is needed is the corporation of all stakeholders, " From my observation and what I have seen so far Nigeria has what it takes to be the number one nation when it comes to Judo in Africa, but there is need to work together as a team". He noted that although we may not have won any medal here at the games, it is not because of lack of talents and good judokas but for lack of proper coordination and sense of belonging among stakeholders and also sport...

The former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach has been banned from all football-related activities over attempts to rig matches at international level.   Samson Siasia The world football's governing body said it opened disciplinary proceedings after a vast investigation into various international matches that Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal, a convicted match-fixer, had attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr. Samson Siasia, a former official of the Nigeria Football Federation, guilty of having accepted that he would receive bribes in relation to the manipulation of matches in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” FIFA statement said. “The formal ethics proceedings against Mr. Siasia were initiated on 11 February 2019 and stem from an extensive investigation into matches that Mr. Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes. “This large-scale investigation was conducted by FIF...

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged Nigeria contingent to the 12th African Games scheduled to hold in Rabat, Morocco to stay clear from performance enhancing drugs urging them to win only clean medals for the country President Buhari rep, Secretary of the federation, Boss Mustapha handling over the team flag to NOC president, Habu Gumel President Buhari who was represented by the Secretary of the Federation, Boss Mustapha at the occasion of the handing over of the Athletes to the National Olympic Committee, NOC by the Ministry of Youth and Sports noted the country would be proud of them even when they fail to win any medal than win medals that would be stripped off because of drug use. President Buhari however promised to adequately take care of their welfare, but charged them to strive towards gunning for the top of the medal table. “Let me assure you that the Federal Government is fully committed to our delegations successful participation in the African games and will...

Just like he did in 2018, Aruna Quadri takes his good gesture to a Lagos-based Children's Hospice. Aruna Quadri was accompanied by his wife, Ganiyat to the home and he donated food items and other materials to support the home. An official of Hearts of Gold Children's Hospice based in the heart of Lagos, Surulere, Samuel Ilori described Aruna Quadri's gesture as commendable adding the 2019 ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open Champion would be the second sportsman to have visited the home this year after football star, Henry Onyekuru visited early this year. "We are very grateful to the Aruna family for remembering this home. This is a private hospice that relies on individual and group donations to sustain itself and with this gesture of Aruna Quadri, he has also given lives to others in need," the social worker said. During the visit, Aruna Quadri toured the home and visited some of the children who are chronically ill. In his remarks, Aruna Quadri said...

Nigeria no.1 tennis star Aruna Quadri has stated that he may not compete at the forthcoming All African Games in Morocco as a result of reoccurring shoulder injury. Speaking with journalists immediately after winning his back-to-back ITTF Plus Challenge title in Lagos state Nigeria the Sporting CP of Portugal star narrates how he has been enduring the season with shoulder injury. "It was a very difficult tournament for me because I was playing with injury and pain. I give kudos to the medic team who took good care of me from the beginning (of the tournament) to the end. I was almost giving up by not playing in the final but they really did a wonderful job and I must give thanks to them". When Quadri was asked about his expectation going to the All African Games the world no.23 said  "I am playing with pain, I need to see some specialist to get myself very well. In all African Games I am not sure if I am going to be in African Games. I need to recov...

Nigeria U-23 player Opara Nnaoma Bede has completed a move to C.F Armacenenses in the Portuguese Division 3 league. The former Vilar de Perdisez defender signed the dotted line for the Armação de Pêra Silves outfit and was full of praise and confident going to the new season. In an exclusive interview with www.cmsportz.blogspot.com the ex-starlet of Brighter Tomorrow Football club give gratitude to God and everybody that's connected to the success of the deal. "I'm happy the deal see the light of day and I give thanks to God for everything because with Him nothing would have been achieved.  Also a special thanks to everyone who have contributed tirelessly in one way or the other to ensure the move became materialised. I am happy to have signed for CF Armacenenses, it is a progressive step for me compare to my former club. I really want to face a new big challenge in my life and I hope to settle in quickly to kick the ball rolling with my new team mat...

It was a scintillating performance by Aruna Qadri of Nigeria and Ibrahimi Diaw of Senegal as both players entertained the cheering crowd at the ongoing 2019 ITTF Africa cup in Lagos, Nigeria. The game saw  Ibrahimi Diaw, who is making his debut in the tournament give, top seed Quadri a good run for his money. 

Crescent Sports Club Celebrates BOT Chairman at 70. Sunday the 4th August 2019 was a day to remember as foremost Benin Sports Club, the CRESCENT CLUB rolled out the drums to celebrate 70 years of the existence on earth of her BOT Chairman, Mr Sachy O. Edo-Osagie. In a well attended ceremony which also featured the launching of her newly built club house known as the GAZEBO, the Septugenerian arrived in company of his wife and had the honour of kicking off the ceremonial football match between the president 11 vs the Grand Patron 11 as part of activities to mark his birthday celebration. Speaking immediately afterwards, Mr Sachy O. Edo Osagie revealed how happy he was with the turn out of members of the club in celebration of his attainment  of the age of 70 years. "I am very elated by the presence of everyone today. I give God the glory for the life and I pray everyone here attains 70 and outlive me their father", Pa Edo Osagie concluded. The ceremonial mat...

From the knockout draw conducted on Saturday August 3, number one seed, Aruna Quadri of Nigeria may slug it out against Egypt's Omar Assar in the semifinal of the men's singles at the 2019 ITTF Africa Cup holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium. From the eight groups, two top players from the groups advanced to the knockout stage and Quadri has been drawn against Congo DRC's Gedeon Kassa, while Assar will battle Congo Brazzaville's Christ Bienatiki. The knockout stage of the tournament starts on Sunday August 4, 2019. But Senegal's Ibrahima Diaw who is making his debut at the continental Cup, believes he can stand out in Lagos.    "I am really impressed with the quality of play and the organization, which show that Africa has come of age. The condition of play is very good. It is just like what obtains in Europe and I am really happy making my debut at the continental tournament," he said. Senegalese Ibrahima Diaw Also...

Nigeria's Omotayo dazzles as Alhy, ENPPI dominate African TT Club Championships. Delighted Omotosho The final of the African Table Tennis Club Championships witnessed what could be expected at the 2019 ITTF Africa Cup when Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo dazzled the fans inside the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun with an out-of-this-world performance against Egypt's Omar Assar. With Egypt's Alhy and ENPPI dominating the women and men events to be crowned the continental club champions, the main highlight of the night was the encounter between Omotayo and Assar. The  24-year-old of SOJ TT Club of Nigeria was in his best against one of Africa's best players - Omar Assar who featured for Egypt's ENPPI, with both players displaying their quality in the final of the men's event. It was Omotayo who drew the first blood against Assar and without any doubt he was in the form of his life to beat Assar 3-2 but it took Aruna Quadri and Ahmed Saleh extra ...

We'll continue to raise the bar - NTTF I'll give my best, says Quadri With the staging of the 2019 ITTF Africa Cup, the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Engr Ishaku Tikon has said that Nigeria would continue to raise the standard of table tennis with the hosting of major competitions in Africa. Nigeria is hosting the African Club, Championships, ITTF Africa Cup and ITTF Challenge Plus Nigeria Open and the NTTF boss said the world now looks toward Nigeria in terms of organisation of world class competitions. "We will continue to raise the bar as regards table tennis in the country and Africa, saidi Tikon. for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman, Wahid Oshodi, fans would be treated to exciting matches in the new 10days. "We're hoping to give them huge entertainment and I want them to come over to the stadium and enjoy the games," Oshodi said. For Aruna Quadri, the Lagos fans should expect the best from him. ...