2024 WTT: Toriola Reveals Reason For Nigeria's Early Exit

2024 WTT: Toriola Reveals Reason For Nigeria's Early Exit

Sampson Adedeji

The acting coach of Team Nigeria table tennis, Segun Toriola has revealed reasons for the early exits in the ongoing World Table Tennis in Busan, South Korea, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian side crashed out of the group stage last weekend after losing to African rival Madagascar.

The Olympic veteran explained that the withdrawal of Aruna Quadri was responsible for the team ouster.

" It is obvious that the absence of Aruna affected the team’s performance because being a top player, his presence alone would have motivated his teammates to do well.

"Even before our match against Japan was a walk-over, the technical crew of the Asian giant were fretting thinking that Aruna may pose a big challenge for them. 

"Fortunately for them, Aruna withdrew for them to have an easy passage in the competition. 

"Aruna no doubt is one of the most respected players in the world because of his quality and for me, his presence on the team would mentally and psychologically help his teammates to do well.

“We lost to Madagascar because we don’t have him in the team, as the Madagascans are a strong team and looking down on them will not be entertained", he stated.