Team Nigeria has played in 3 of the 5 Finals in the just concluded All Africa Senior Championships in Cairo, Egypt despite all challenges and frustrations which saw to the team missing the Thomas and Uber cup qualifiers (Team event) of the championship.
The team’s gruelling journey started from the non issuance of visas to the team by the Egyptian Embassy despite the timely submission of all necessary supporting documents. The Team had a flight delay due bad weather resulting in it missing it’s connecting flight from Addis Ababa to Cairo. A rescheduled flight saw the team arriving on the morning of the championship, Friday 14th February and heading straight into marathon games.
Notwithstanding, the Team was able to muster enough strength to get 7 teams in Semifinals namely; MS-2, MD-2, WD-2 and WS-1. Of the number, 3 were able to play in the Finals; Dorcas Adesokan (WS), Anuoluwapo Opeyori (MS) and Dorcas Adesokan/Deborah Ukeh (WD).
The Team fought gallantly and did it’s best despite the odds of immense pressure, fatigue, mental and physical stress in the last few days.
The MS was lost 16-21, 21-16,21-23 to Georges Julien Paul (MRI) the WD lost to the Egypt pair of Doha Hany/Hadia Hosny 14-21,16-21 and the WS was won by Kate Foo Kune of Mauritius 19-21,16-21.
Despite this performance, Dorcas Adesokan is still on course to qualifying for the Olympics while Anu Opeyori and Godwin Olofua face a more difficult task of qualification.
