As the number two seed in the men’s team of the table tennis event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Nigeria has been handed favourable draw against Ghana, South Africa, and Cyprus in Group 2.
However, it was not the same for the women’s team as they will face a daunting task against number one seed Singapore and England as well as little-known St Vincent and The Grenadines in Group 1.
From today, Quadri Aruna will lead the men’s team to face South Africa and Ghana while their last group game tomorrow will be against Cyprus.
The top two teams from the four Groups will progress to the quarterfinal round of the competition.
Also, the women’s will face St Vincent and The Grenadines and Singapore today while their last group match is against England tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Indian legend Sharath Kamal Achanta has acknowledged that Nigeria and England remain two of the teams that can stand between them and medals in the table tennis team event of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Achanta, who is regarded as the oldest active Indian player at 40 believed with the quality of Nigerian team led by Quadri Aruna as well as English team spearheaded by Liam Pitchford, things might look a bit harder for them to break into the top podium in Birmingham.
“I think Nigeria is strong and England is also tougher to play against,” the 2004 Melbourne Games champion said. “In respect of Nigeria, with Aruna winning two games, if Bode Abiodun can reenact his 2018 form, I think they are a strong side.
“ But for England, they have Pitchford and Paul Drinkhall who are playing their best table tennis now.
“So, it is a 50-50 situation against these two teams but we are also ready for them as a team.”
He however, surrendered the men’s singles title to Aruna whom he said has the capacity and quality to topple every player in the competition.
“Aruna for me is the player to beat in the singles but every other player will try their best, but we cannot all play against him. This is his games, and it is now left for him to make use of this moment in Birmingham,” he added.