ITTF Africa Championship: Seven-time Olympian, Funke Oshonaike win first Gold for Nigeria

ITTF Africa Championship: Seven-time Olympian, Funke Oshonaike win first Gold for Nigeria

Hassan Abdulsalam 07:37 - 17.09.2023

Their feat made them the first Nigerians to win a gold medal at the ongoing African Senior Championship in Tunis, Tunisia.

Nigeria has won the first gold medal at the ongoing 2023 ITTF Africa Championship through Seven-time Olympian, Funke Oshonaike and Fatimo Bello who partnered in the women's doubles event.

Their feat made them the first Nigerians to win a gold medal at the ongoing African Senior Championship in Tunis, Tunisia.

Pulse Sports reports that the ITTF Africa Championship will serves as a qualification tournament for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The Egyptians started on high notes winning some of the team events and taking away many Olympic slots.

ITTF Africa Championship: Seven-time Olympian, Funke Oshonaike win first Gold for Nigeria

Oshonaike, a seven-time Olympian and African legend, came out of retirement to compete in the women's doubles alongside Bello. In the final, they faced Cameroonian player Sarah Hanffou and her Egyptian teammate Marwa Alhodaby.

The event did not have open qualification for the Olympics, therefore both teams were solely competing for the gold medal.

In the semi-finals, Nigeria defeated Mauritius duo, Oumehani Hosenally and Nandeshwaree Jalim 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-7).

Meanwhile, African most ranked player, Quadri Aruna and 2019 African Games champion, Olajide Omotayo have progressed into the men’s singles semi-finals.

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