Nigeria’s teenage table tennis sensations, Matthew Kuti and Sukurat Aiyelabegan, suffered an early exit in the men and women’s singles events at the 13th African Games, while Hope Udoaka advanced to the next round, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
All three players are making their debuts at the African Games.
The 12-year-old Kuti started his campaign at the championship on a winning note, defeating Ghana’s Israel Aklie 3-0 but failed to build on his first-ever win at the African Games as he lost 3-1 (11-7, 5-11, 7-11, 11-13) to Algeria’s Maheidine Bella and becoming the first Nigerian to exit the championship in Accra.
The national junior champion won the first set 11-7 at the Accra International Conference Centre but could not curtail the firepower of the 16-year-old Algerian, who forced him into several errors. The defeat was Kuti’s first since December.
Speaking after his defeat, Kuti said, “I think I gained some experience playing and watching some of the best players in Africa.
“I’m not happy I lost early in the competition because my opponent gave me a lot of trouble, especially with his backhand. It was a good experience and I look forward to more opportunities to play at the top level.
“I am so happy coming to Ghana and I am sure playing with the team that has the likes of Aruna Quadri.”
Aiyelabegan on her part, exited the women’s singles after she lost 3-1 to Ranto Rakotondrazaka from Madagascar in her debut game, while Offiong Edem,
Fatimo Bello, Esther Oribamise and Hope Udoaka all qualified for the round of 32.
Nigeria’s reigning national champion and the West Africa University Games champion, Uduoka, defeated Burkina Faso’s Habibou Derra 3-0 in her debut game at the African Games.
In the round of 64, Offiong defeated Juma Doreen from Kenya 3-0, Oribamise beat Ethiopia’s Fana Rezene 3-1, while Bello also saw off a challenge from Mamounata Derra from Burkina Faso.
Top stars Quadri, Taiwo Mati, Omeh Amadi and Omotayo Olajide all advanced to the next round after winning their round of 64 ties in the men’s singles event.
