Singles events hold today as Nigeria rules mixed doubles

With the conclusion of the team and doubles events, all eyes will now be on the singles events as players are aiming to depose Oba Kizito of Cote d’Ivoire and Fatimo Bello of Nigeria at the second ITTF Africa Western Africa Region Championships holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Also yesterday, the hosts showed its class in the mixed doubles, as four Nigerian pairs made it to the semifinal of the event, while the duo of Azeez Solanke and Fatimo Bello emerged as champions.

To be crowned the champion, Solanke and Fatimo ruled over Orok Etim and Vivian Oku with a commanding 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-5) win.
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In the third place match another Nigerian pair of Rilwan Akanbi and Bose Odusanya defeated Amadi Umeh and Hope Uduak 3-2.

Number one seed and defending champion in the men’s singles, Kizito is optimistic that he can weather the storm in Lagos to clinch his title.

Already, Kizito had tasted defeat in the team event but the Ivoirien is not ready to give up without a fight as he said: “I am here to retain my title and from the look of things, it might look tasking for me this year because we have some good players, especially from Nigeria. But having watched most of the players, I am sure I can repeat my performance again in Lagos.

According to the singles events’ format, the players have been drawn into groups with the top players advancing to the knockout stage holding later today.
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