11th African Games: Host nation’s golden aspirations thwarted

Winner earlier in the year on the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour in Lagos, Omar Assar proved the backbone of success for Egypt, the top seeds, as they booked their place in the final of the Men’s Team event at the 11th African Games in Congo Brazzaville on the evening of Saturday 12th September.

Impressively, the 24 year old remained unbeaten as the defending champions overcame the host nation’s third seeded combination of Hu Bin, Saheed Idowu and Wang Jianan by three matches to one.

The success came after the second seeded Nigerian trio of Seun Ajetunmobi, Quadri Aruna and Segun Toriola had recorded a three-nil win in opposition to Ghana’s sixth seeded combination of Derek Abrefa, Emmanuel Commey and Felix Lartey.

Start and Finish

Assuming the captain’s role, Omar Assar beat Wang Jianan in the opening match of the fixture (11-8, 7-11, 17-15, 11-7), before in the fourth contest of the engagement accounting for Hu Bin in a full distance five games duel (11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 12-14, 11-7) to bring matters to a conclusion.

The one remaining win for Egypt was recorded by Ahmed Ali Saleh in the third duel of the fixture; he overcame Saheed Idowu (8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6), after in the second match of the engagement Hu Bin had overcome El-Sayed Lashin (11-8, 11-7, 11-9).

Change Tactics

“When the match score was two-two and I was down 6-0, I thought I was too late to change my tactics but when I changed and received service with my forehand I started playing better”, explained Omar Assar after beating Hu Bin to seal the contest; the change of tactics clearly worked; the Egyptian lost just one more point.

“We are a good team and the spirit in the team is very high, we have a good bench to support us”, added Omar Assar. “Tonight the match was somehow you win some you lose some; however, we are in a perfect mood for the final, we are going to fight, we are well prepared for the competition.”

Less Dramatic

A hard fought success for Egypt, life for Nigeria against Ghana was somewhat less dramatic.

Quadri Aruna beat Derek Abrefa (11-5, 11-9, 11-2), Segun Toriola overcame Felix Lartey (11-4, 11-3, 11-8) with Seun Ajetunmobi defeating Emmanuel Commey to conclude matters (11-6, 11-8, 11-5).

Experience Told

“It was not an easy match against Nigeria because they are very experienced and it really showed”, said Bernard Sam, the Ghanaian coach. “We had thought we could do what we did to Congo Brazzaville but before we realised it was two-nil; we then knew that they are superior to us, we hope Nigeria win the gold being our brother from the west.”

In the group stage Ghana had beaten Congo Brazzaville by three matches to two.

Pleased for Experience

A philosophical Bernard Sam; it was the same response from Derek Abreka who was not at all disheartened, in fact quite proud.

“For me playing against Quadri Aruna was a good experience because he is very powerful; he is a great player”, said Derek Abrefa. “It is the second time I have played against him, the first was in Congo Democratic in 2008 where he beat me three-one; his forehand is very powerful and his shots are superb, I look forward to beating him in the singles!”

Pressing Engagement

Positive words but for Derek Abrefa there is a more pressing engagement; whilst Egypt meets Nigeria for gold, Ghana faces Congo Brazzaville to determine third place.

Both Congo Brazzaville and Ghana receive bronze medals.

The fixtures will be played on Sunday 13th September.

By: Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor