The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Azeez Solanke

  • We can’t be intimidated by the Egyptians – Solanke

    Aware of the continued dominance of Egypt in Africa, Team Nigeria captain, Azeez Solanke has said that they would not be scared of taming the North African in the junior boys’ team final at the ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships in Accra, Ghana.

    Also yesterday, Egypt joined Nigeria as the second-best team from Africa to qualify in the boys’ event for the 2019 ITTF World Junior Championship in Thailand.

    Read also: 2019 ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships: Egyptian Messi idolizes Aruna Quadri

    Solanke who has remained unbeaten in the competition told NationSport that he is poised to lift his team against the rampaging Egyptians.

    “I am sure the Egyptians have been watching our game and they are also afraid of us. The fact that we have not been playing in the competition for the last two years has given them hope that they can ride over every team. But I must tell you that they are going to meet their waterloo in the final as we are ready for them. We have gone far to lose the final to Egypt and we want to leave Ghana with the giant trophy this weekend,” Solanke said.

  • We cannot afford to miss WJC, says Solanke

    Captain of the Team Nigeria, Azeez Solanke believes the win over Tunisia in their first game has boosted their chance of qualifying for the World Junior Championships holding in Thailand.

    Solanke who led the team to a 3-1 win over the Tunisians in Group Two of the boys’ team event of the ongoing ITTF Africa Junior and Cadet Championships in Accra, Ghana, told NationSport that he is excited about the win over Tunisia which he described a semifinal tie for them in the competition.

    “I must admit that Tunisia is not a pushover team because they have experienced players in the team and they are a strong team in Africa. I believe the win against them has indeed given us an edge to top the group so that we will avoid meeting Egypt in the semifinal,” he said.

    Solanke who claimed the gold medal in the junior boys singles at the Ghana Open last week believes his teammaktes are capable of beating any team in Ghana while saying, “We will not play to the gallery against any team as we will take every match serious because there is no pushover in Africa again with the quality of play display by every team in the tournament,” he said.

    The group matches enter final day today as Nigeria battles Ghana and Congo DRC to determine the top two teams in the Group that will progress to the knockout stage.

    However, it was not a good tournament for the Nigeria girls’ team as they have become the whipping team of the group after been walloped by Egypt in their first group match.

  • ITTF African YOG Qualifying Tournament: Solanke, Oribamise seeded as tournament serves off

    ITTF African YOG Qualifying Tournament: Solanke, Oribamise seeded as tournament serves off

    Nigeria’s representatives in the ITTF African Youth Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Azeez Solanke and Tosin Esther Oribamise have been seeded number two respectively in the boys and girls event of the competition which serves off today at the Sports Palace in El-Mensah, Tunis.

    12 countries are competing for the four continental slots at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) holding in Argentina.

    Egypt’s duo of Youssef Abdel-Aziz and Marwa Alhodaby are the number seeds in the boys and girls respectively.
    Solanke has been drawn in group two alongside – Algeria’s Abdelbasset Chaichi, Libya’s Habeb Alajaebi and Ethiopia’s Kalab Bereba in the boys cadre, while Oribamise will battle Tunisia’s Garci Fadwa, Ethiopia’s Tamiru Feven Kinfu and Sierra Leone’s Zainab Sesay.

    A confident Oribamise told NationSport that she would use the tournament to prove a point after missing the ITTF African Junior Championships. “I think we just justify our coming to Tunisia particularly when the country failed to make fund available for us to be part of the 2017 ITTF African Junior Championships. But the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi in his magnanimity decided to facilitate our participation in the qualifiers, so we are here for business which is to pick a slot to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Argentina next year,” a determined Oribamise said.

    In the draw conducted on Saturday April 15 by the tournament referee, Tunisia’s Bechir Metoui, the boys have been drawn into three groups of four players with the top players in group one and two getting a bye to the semifinal stage, while the top player in group three and second placed players in the groups will be drawn for a knockout matches to decide the players that will battle against the top two players in the semifinal round.

    All the round robin matches will be played on Sunday April 16 while the semifinal matches hold on Monday April 17 with the finalists in the boys and girls event qualifying automatically for the Youth Olympic Games.

  • Hopeful Team Nigeria arrives for YOG Qualifiers in Tunis

    Hopeful Team Nigeria arrives for YOG Qualifiers in Tunis

    The three-man Team Nigeria for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifiers arrived yesterday in Tunis in readiness for the qualifying tournament holding at the Sports Palace El-Mensah.

    The team led by coach Dotun Omoniyi alongside Azeez Solanke and Tosin Esther Oribamise will join their counterparts from 15 countries to fight for the four slots available for Africa at next year’s YOG in Argentina.

    Already, Solanke has been seeded number two behind Egypt’s Youssef Abdel-Aziz in the boys event while Oribamise is seeded number three in the girls’ division.

    According to Solanke, he hopes to compensate for their missing of the ITTF African Junior Championship by securing one of the two slots at stake in the boys’ category.

    “It was painful missing the opportunity for us to compete at the World Championship again this year after the experience we had in 2016 in South Africa. Psychologically, it took a lot from all of us because we have been in camp for weeks only to be told few days to our planned departure that we will not be going again. I am so happy that we still the chance to prove ourselves with the YOG qualifiers, we will surely try our best in order to ensure we compete globally next year,” Solanke said.

    For Oribamise, the team would remain grateful to the President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) for giving them another opportunity at making a shot at global competition, while hoping that she could pick of the two slots for YOG.

    Meanwhile, the draws for the YOG qualifiers hold today April 15 with the players drawn into groups in a round robin format with the top players advancing to the knockout stage while the finalists will automatically qualify for YOG in Argentina come 2018.

  • ITTF African Junior Championships: Oribamise, Solanke to lead Team Nigeria to Tunis

    ITTF African Junior Championships: Oribamise, Solanke to lead Team Nigeria to Tunis

    Junior sensations – Tosin Esther Oribamise and Azeez Solanke will lead a 10-man Nigerian contingent to the 2017 ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships holding in Tunis on April 9 to 15.
    In the list made available to NationSport, the team includes five debutants who will compete in the cadet event of the championship.

    The debutants are Jamiu Ayanwale and Taiwo Mati (boys) as well as Rafiat Jimoh, Sukurat Aiyelabegan and Iyanuoluwa Falana (girls).
    2016 bronze medallist – Azeez Solanke will lead the boys team alongside Amadi Umeh and Abayomi Animasahun.

    According to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the selection of the team was based on the players’ past and present records as well as several trials organised by the federation particularly the just concluded Olufunke Oshonaike Top 16 Championship held in Lagos.

    However, some of the debutants are still in cloud nine after realising that they will be jetting out of Nigeria for the first time in their lives. They are eagerly looking forward to the competition which they hope to use to prove their mettle. The continental championship serves as qualifiers for the World Junior Championship in Italy later in the year, while it will also be used to select the African team for the World Cadet Challenge.

    The Nigerian team is expected to compete in the team, doubles, mixed doubles and singles events of cadet, junior and U-21.

    For the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifiers, Solanke and Oribamise will represent Nigeria in the event on April 16 to 17 at same venue in Tunis.

    In a statement signed by the President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy, every country is expected to present a boy and a girl for the YOG qualifiers with the finalists qualifying automatically for the games in Argentina come 2018. “Africa has made it to the podium at YOG in Singapore 2010 and this time around we are hoping that we can get players and teams that will also return to the podium in 2018. For the qualifiers, the players will be drawn into groups in the first round with the top two players advancing to the second round of knockout. The finalists in the boys and girls event will automatically qualify for YOG,” he said.

  • Oribamise, Solanke to lead Nigeria to ITTF African Juniors

    Oribamise, Solanke to lead Nigeria to ITTF African Juniors

    Junior sensations – Tosin Esther Oribamise and Azeez Solanke will lead a 10-man Nigerian contingent to the 2017 ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships holding in Tunis on April 9 to 15.

    In the list made available to NationSport, the team includes five debutants who will compete in the cadet event of the championship.

    The debutants are Jamiu Ayanwale and Taiwo Mati (boys) as well as Rafiat Jimoh, Sukurat Aiyelabegan and Iyanuoluwa Falana (girls).

    2016 bronze medallist – Azeez Solanke will lead the boys team alongside Amadi Umeh and Abayomi Animasahun.

    According to the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), the selection of the team was based on the players’ past and present records as well as several trials organised by the federation particularly the just concluded Olufunke Oshonaike Top 16 Championship held in Lagos.

    However, some of the debutants are still in cloud nine after realising that they will be jetting out of Nigeria for the first time in their lives. They are eagerly looking forward to the competition which they hope to use to prove their mettle. The continental championship serves as qualifiers for the World Junior Championship in Italy later in the year, while it will also be used to select the African team for the World Cadet Challenge.

    The Nigerian team is expected to compete in the team, doubles, mixed doubles and singles events of cadet, junior and U-21.

    For the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) qualifiers, Solanke and Oribamise will represent Nigeria in the event on April 16 to 17 at same venue in Tunis.

    In a statement signed by the President of ITTF Africa, Khaled El-Salhy, every country is expected to present a boy and a girl for the YOG qualifiers with the finalists qualifying automatically for the games in Argentina come 2018. “Africa has made it to the podium at YOG in Singapore 2010 and this time around we are hoping that we can get players and teams that will also return to the podium in 2018. For the qualifiers, the players will be drawn into groups in the first round with the top two players advancing to the second round of knockout. The finalists in the boys and girls event will automatically qualify for YOG,” he said.

  • 48th Asoju Oba Molade-Okoya Thomas Cup: Odusanya retains title as Akanbi wins men’s singles

    48th Asoju Oba Molade-Okoya Thomas Cup: Odusanya retains title as Akanbi wins men’s singles

    From the start of the 48th Asoju Oba Molade-Okoya Thomas Cup, Bose Odusanya never bragged about her prowess. While most of her fellow competitors mouthed off their intention, it was Odusanya that laughed last at the weekend after the grand-finale of the oldest sporting tournament in Nigeria.
    Just like her rival – Tolu Durosimi-Etti who won the championship back-to-back in 2012 and 2013, Odusanya also claimed the title twice in a row after beating Fatimo Bello 4-2 in the women’s singles final, while junior sensation, Rilwan Akanbi won his first major championship in the men’s singles.
    Unlike Odusanya who never had any problem defeating her opponent in the final but Akanbi was stretched to the limit by Azeez Solanke in the men’s singles final.
    Akanbi and Solanke are part of Team Nigeria heading out to South Africa for the ITTF World Junior Championship, which serves off on Wednesday November 30 in Cape Town and they both stunned their senior counterparts to set up a final encounter.
    The match bore all the signs of a final and the fans and dignitaries had something to cheer throughout the encounter but it was Akanbi who emerged champion after a 4-3 win over southpaw Solanke.
    Akanbi said: “I’m very happy to win this tournament because for me, playing against Azeez Solanke was really a challenge. We are both junior players and just been promoted to play at the senior level. Before the match, I know it will be a 50-50 game because we have played some matches at the junior category and he is a very good player too. The level of competition is very good, every year we play this tournament and there is always improvement.”
    Odusanya said: “I’m very grateful for winning this title back-to-back because before the competition, I trained a lot and I want to thank God for crowning my effort. My final opponent, Fatimo Bello played very well and the game was very tight because we are in the same club. I was very determined but it was God that gave me this victory. I want to thank the family of late Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas Thomas for hosting this tournament and I hope they will relent but continue to sponsor it.”

  • 48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas ends in style

    48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas ends in style

    As curtain draws on the 48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the annual championship will end in grand style as new champions are expected to emerge in 18 categories.
    For five days, the players across Lagos State have been battling one another in order to be part of the mouthwatering prize money at stake.
    From the cadet to junior players, the venues are daily besieged by players drawn from schools and clubs aiming to make the podium at the championship.
    One of the two Nigeria’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)-certified umpires, John Peters described the turnout for this year’s championship as very encouraging, as more players are eager to emulate the exploits of Aruna Quadri and Segun Toriola.
    Peters, who was one of the umpires that handled proceedings at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil told NationSport that the performance of Aruna Quadri in Rio had sparked interest in the sport.
      “I must tell that since I have been officiating this competition in the last four decades, this year’s turnout had been quite impressive particularly in the cadet division. We have more schools and clubs competing in the competition, while the senior players were not left out of the championship. I must say that the performance of Aruna Quadri in Brazil has ignited the interest of the players and we have more of them trying to emulate Quadri. This is good for the sport and we hope we can discover more ‘Quadris’ from this championship,” Peters said.
    Meanwhile, the final of the men and women singles events will be the climax of today’s event as new winners are expected to emerge.

  • 48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup: Adeyinka, Odusanya, others battle for last four in singles

    48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup: Adeyinka, Odusanya, others battle for last four in singles

    Defending champions – Ahmed Adeyinka and Bose Odusanya will face the biggest test of their careers as they battle others in the race for the top spot at the 48th Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Cup.
    With the men competing in the last 16, the women will be hoping for places in the last four, as Adeyinka will confront giant-killer, Dayo Adenugba, while Odusanya will square up against Taiwo Williams.
    In the pairing for the women’s singles quarter-final, junior international, Alimot Ayinla will take one Policewoman, Funke Hassan, Fatimo Bello will face Nimota Aregbesola, while Modinat Yusuf will battle Tolu Durosimi-Etti.
    For the men’s singles, Nurudeen Hassan will take on Isiaka Seriki, Joseph Osendukwu battles David Fayele, while Rogba Olawoyin clashes against Rilwan Akanbi.
    Seun Adeleye will take on Monsuru Kazeem, Samson Agbaje faces Olakunle Ajulo, while Bolaji Asekun will keep a date against 2015 finalist – Ayo Omotara.
    However, 2012 and 2013 women singles champion, Durosimi-Etti believes she is poised to reclaim the title she lost to Odusanya in 2015.
    “I am well prepared for this championship having taken part in the just concluded NTTF National Championships. For me, I am confident that nothing can stop me from reclaiming the title this year based on my current form coupled with my warm-up with the national tournament. I am not going to rule out the fact that it is not going to be easy but I am up to the task to prove myself again this year and I look forward to making it to the final on Friday,” she said.
    Like Durosimi-Etti, Policewoman Hassan believes she can break the jinx of her losing in the final this year. “This year I don’t want to make any mistake having played in series of final and also making it to the last four at the just concluded NTTF National Championship, I am indeed in a good frame of mind to win the title this year,” Hassan vowed.

  • ITTF World Junior Championships: Ojomu leads Nigerian team to Cape Town

    ITTF World Junior Championships: Ojomu leads Nigerian team to Cape Town

    As the only junior female player that made it to the last 16 of the 2016 ITTF Nigerian Open, Abuja-based Ajoke Ojomu will lead the eight-man Nigerian contingent to this month’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Championships holding in Cape Town, South Africa.

    Ojomu, who was also instrumental to Nigeria’s qualification for the championship will have Tosin Esther Oribamise, Agnes Onoja and Alimot Ayinla as members of the Nigerian girls’ team to the competition.

    The boys’ team will have bronze medallist in the boys’ singles of the African Junior Championship, Azeez Solanke as well as Amadi Omeh, Tobi Falana and Rilwan Akanbi.

    The players were selected after a rigorous training exercise conducted under the watchful eyes of seven-time Olympian, Segun Toriola in September and the team will join Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and host – South Africa as the continent’s representatives at the one-week championship.

    The team will compete for honours in the singles, doubles and team events of the championships, which serve off on November 30 to December 7.

    According to the President of NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, the tournament would be used to groom female players for the senior national team and add more male players to the senior team. “I hope we will be able to remedy the lack of quality female players in the senior team with the girls’ team going to the World Junior Championships in South Africa. The four young girls on that team need to grab this opportunity and start to build a serious career for themselves. In all this, I must continue to give credit to Olufunke Oshonaike that despite all her years in the game she continues to show great commitment to the cause of our country and we hope these girls can take a cue from her,” Oshodi said.

    Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt will present boys’ and girls’ teams, while Tunisia will have its boys’ team with Algeria presenting its girls’ team for the competition.

    Over 24 countries will present 96 boys and 96 girls that will slug it out in the individual and team events of the competition.