Ahead ITTF Africa Senior Championships: Nigeria Will Be A Spoiler In Cairo, Says Egypt’s Saleh

Even when it is not certain that Nigeria will make it to Cairo for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships come January 23 to 29, one of the top players in Egypt, Ahmed Saleh believes they would not have an easy task against the West Africa giant.

The former African champion however, admitted that Nigeria remains a strong adversary at the Cairo tournament.

Saleh, who plays in the elite Turkish League said that Nigeria is the only team in the continent that may halt their dominance at the seven-day competition.

The stylish Egyptian believes with the form of the Nigerian players especially Aruna Quadri coupled with the experience of Segun Toriola, any team that will overcome the West Africa giant must be on top of its game.

“I expect that there will be a very strong competition especially if the top Nigerian players take part in this championship. For me, I think Nigeria is the only team that I am sure will be a threat to our ambition of holding on to the titles,” Saleh said.

He however, believes Egypt still has the ability to clinch the gold medal in the team event. “Yes I think Egypt has a big chance to win most of the gold medals particularly in the team events,” he said.
 
Personally, Saleh is eyeing three gold medals in singles, doubles and team events, which he said he hopes to work toward.

For the ITTF Star Award, Saleh gives it to Quadri, saying, “I feel proud as an African towards the results posted by Quadri in 2014 and I think the same feeling to Quadri whenever any Egyptian player does well in international competitions. For the ITTF Star Awards, I think that Quadri can win it considering his results in 2014,” he added.

For the ITTF World Team Cup holding in Dubai this week, Saleh hopes for a good draw, adding that this would determine their success in the competition