Foreign-based duo of Seun Ajetunmobi and Olaide Atinuke as well as Fatimo Bello and 50 year-old Taofeek Maya are in race for the titles at the end-of-the-year Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) organised tagged President’s Cup.
Ajetunmobi did not had it easy before making it to the last eight as he was made to fight hard to win all his matches in the group. But Atinuke’s passage to the last eight was a smooth ride as she defeated most of her opponents easily.
2014 Asoju Oba Cup champion, Fatimo Bello was in superb form on Wednesday as he defeated Moji Ajibike and national junior champion, Tosin Oribamise on her way to the last eight of the championship.
The oldest player in the tournament, Maya, whose performance stunned national champion, Kazeem Makanjuola is also in the race for the top spot.
To top his group, Maya beat Makanjuola 3-1 to secure his place among the top eight players.
Despite not having it easy to make it to the last eight, Ajetunmobi still believes the title is for him to win.
“I knew what I was playing but when the competition enters the crucial stage, I will surely raise my game. But I am impressed with the performance of some of the home-based players because they are really playing well. So if you are not careful, as foreign-based players these home-based players will defeat you. So for me, I will be careful.
The finals of the N2m prize money tournament hold on Thursday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium
