Nigeria won its first gold medal at the 2023 ITTF Africa Championship thanks to Funke Oshonaike and Fatimo Bello in the women’s doubles event.
It is a historic achievement, as they became the first Nigerians to do so at the ongoing African Senior Championship in Tunis, Tunisia.
Oshonaike, a seven-time Olympian and renowned African athlete, came out of retirement to team up with Bello in the women’s doubles.
They faced Cameroonian player Sarah Hanffou and her Egyptian partner, Marwa Alhodaby, in the final.
This event did not have an open Olympic qualification, so both teams were competing solely for the gold medal.
Nigeria dominated, beating the Mauritian duo of Oumehani Hosenally and Nandeshwaree Jalim 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-7) in the semi-finals.
Additionally, Quadri Aruna, Africa’s top-ranked player, and Olajide Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, have made it to the men’s singles semi-finals.
This victory by Oshonaike and Bello not only brings honour to Nigeria but also sets the stage for their Olympic journey, as the ITTF Africa Championship serves as an Olympic qualification tournament.
