Returnee Nigeria’s Cecilia Otu-Akpan fully reaffirmed her presence at the ongoing Lagos International Table Tennis Classics, as she upset the tournament’s number one seed, Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing to book a place in the final.
Otu-Akpan, who has been out of action for two years gave the fans something to cheer as she dismissed the Chinese-born Congolese 11-9, 12-14, 11-8, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4 to throw the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium into wild jubilation.
Also, yesterday, Nigeria’s Edem Offiong defeated Nigeria’s Funke Oshonaike 11-4, 6-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 11-6 in the second semi-final tie.
An excited Otu-Akpan said: “I trained hard for this tournament and I knew I had to be at my best to beat the best player in the competition. When I knew I was going to face Congo Brazzaville’s Han Xing, I ensured I did not allow her to dictate the pace even when it was obvious that she remains the only player that has been given my compatriot – Edem Offiong, tough challenge, I was determined to stop her. I was aware that most players used to be scared of her serve but today, I gave her the solution to her serve today. For me, I am happy that my dream of becoming the champion is getting closer. In the final, I look forward to a good result.”
In the men’s doubles final, Nigeria’s Kazeem Makanjuola and Jide Ogidiolu df Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Seun Ajetunmobi 12-14, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Men’s singles semi finals’ Results
Egypt’s Omar Assar beat Congo Brazzaville’s Saka Suraju 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5.
Nigeria’s Segun Toriola beat Nigeria’s Kazeem Makanjuola 11-3, 3-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9
