CAF names referee for South Africa vs Nigeria game
ITF W/Chair Tennis Futures: Nigeria wins gold in doubles finals
Nigeria reclaimed its status as a leading force in wheelchair tennis in Africa following the triumph of its players in the doubles event of the Puma ITF Wheelchair Tennis Futures in Abuja on Friday.
The duo of Alex Adewale and Wasiu Yusuf won the doubles final with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-0 scoreline over Peter Naveh and Collins Omonde of Kenya while Kafayat Omisore paired Kemi Oluwasegun to beat Kenya’s Jane Ndenga who partnered homegirl Foluke Shodehinde to clinch the women’s doubles title.
The final of the $3, 000 prize-money event hold Saturday with Omisore facing prime seed, Ndenga in the women’s singles final while the other NigeriaKenya showdown will see Adewale confronts Naveh, the top seed, in the men’s singles final.
Adewale, a London 2012 Paralympian thanked former NTF President Engr. Sani Ndanusa for facilitating the event which he pointed will serve as a stepping stone to most of the players who were making their debut at an international tournament.
Nigeria’s coach, Frank Tarmena is optimistic of a clean medal sweep commending the players for their commitment to excel at the tournament.
Tarmena, the ITF Wheelchair Developmental Officer for West and Central Africa believes the success enjoyed by the Team Nigeria will rekindle the huge interest in the game urging sponsors to identify with the sport.
Gambian referee, Bakary Papa Gassama will be in charge of the match day 5 AFCON qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria on 17th November at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
The 39-year-old is regarded as one of the best referees on the continent and was among the few Africans selected for the FIFA World Cup in Russia.
This will not be the first time Gassama will be at the centre in Nigeria’s games as he officiated Nigeria’s 3-1 victory over Algeria in Uyo prior to the World Cup.
Nigeria currently leads Group E with nine points from four matches, one point ahead of South Africa which has eight points from the same number of matches.
The Super Eagles, however, need just a point to qualify, whilst South Africa will be targeting maximum points to end the hopes of Libya from reaching the tournament in Cameroun next year.