Africa Cup Quarterfinal: Aruna Marches On, Omotayo Bows Out

Africa Cup Quarterfinal: Aruna Marches On, Omotayo Bows Out

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, booked his place in the quarter-finals of the ITTF Africa Cup Championship in Benghazi, Libya, after a commanding victory in the men’s singles round of 16 on Sunday, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Aruna, the tournament’s top-ranked Nigerian and a former ITTF world top-10 player, brushed aside Libya’s Alajaebi Habeb with a ruthless 4–0 win. He dominated the contest from the opening rally, taking the match in straight games 11–3, 11–4, 11–3 and 11–1.

The emphatic performance underlined Aruna’s experience and pedigree on the continental stage, keeping him firmly in contention for the Africa Cup title as the competition enters its decisive phase.

Elsewhere in the round of 16, Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo exited the tournament following a 4–0 defeat to Algeria’s Stephanie Ouaiche. Ouaiche controlled the tempo of the match, claiming victory with scores of 11–6, 11–2, 11–4 and 11–8, despite Omotayo offering strong resistance in the fourth game.

In other men’s singles results, Egypt’s Omar Assar advanced comfortably after defeating Morocco’s Banchat Marius 4–0 (11–6, 11–2, 11–6, 11–6), while Tunisia’s Wassim Essid sealed a quarter-final spot with a 4–2 win over Benin’s Salifou Abdel-Kader.

The ITTF Africa Cup Championship continues in Benghazi, with quarter-final matches set to follow as players battle for continental supremacy.