ITTF Africa Senior Championships: Egypt celebrates double victory over Nigeria

The 2015 ITTF-Africa Senior Championships hosts, Egypt are in celebration mood as they retained the Men’s and Women’s Team titles after beating Nigeria in the finals of the two team events.

The North Africans were pushed to the wall by their Nigerian counterparts but they were nonetheless happy to see off the challenge posed as they maintain their dominance on the continent yet again.

In the women’s team event, the Egyptians recorded a memorable recovery; coming from two sets down before finally securing victory.

Nigeria made the ideal start with Offiong Edem beating Nadeen El-Dawlatly and veteran Olufunke Oshonaike also dispatching Dina Meshref.

However, 19-year old Yousra Helmy started the revival for Egypt as she beat Cecilia Offiong to spark the fight-back.

Egypt got their chances further boosted when Dina Meshref returned to form to inflict the one and only defeat in the whole event over Offiong Edem, before Nadeen El-Dawlatly accounted for Olunfunke Oshonaike to complete the recovery and remarkable win.

Meanwhile, in the men’s team final the hero of the hour for Egypt was El-Sayed Lashin.

Having suffered defeat against Quadri Aruna in the opening match of the fixture, he beat Ojo Onaolapo to seal the victory.

Earlier, Omar Assar had levelled matters for Egypt by beating Ojo Onaolapo before Ahmed Al Saleh had given Egypt a-two matches to one lead when proving too secure and too experienced for Jide Ogidiolu.

Quadri Aruna returned to the table, he overcame Omar Assar to level matters and thus set the stage for the decisive duel between El-Sayed Lashin and Ojo Onaolapo.

Speaking on their win, Ahmed Saleh of Egypt said it was quite ecstatic to win his 17th gold medal in African tournament.

“I feel very happy winning my 17th gold medals in African tournament and excited that we won the title again in Cairo after the triumph in 2012. It was fantastic for the team and for me winning 17 medals is great,” Saleh told the ITTF official website.