ALL AFRICA SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP - DAY 4: Nigeria dethrone Mauritius to emerge 2019 CBA Mixed-double champions
It was all glamour as the hosts of the 2019 All Africa Senior Badminton Championships gave a good account of themselves in what can be described as a keenly contested game in the mixed team final event that saw Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Dorcas Adesokan narrowly defeat the stubborn duo of Julien Paul and Kate Foo Kune from Mauritius 21-19, 21-19,
The match lived up to its billing as both teams put up an entertaining performance as well as showing the stuff they are made off.
Reacting to the victory, Team Nigeria head Coach Benjamin Orakpo said that "We are ready to make Africa proud, adding that player's were carefully selected and presented to the Badminton Federation of Nigeria"
Elsewhere, the opponent Chief coach expressed dissatisfaction, "It was a vey good and competitive match but i'm not satisfied with the officiating.
He added, the player's are good but they're so bias, because every host country do this, likewise if my country host will have to win"
The host team made sure they held strong to emerge champions of the Team finals events with a 2-3 sweet victory over a resilient Mauritius.
In addition, the two teams tied at 2-2 on major scores in the final team game - the Mixed Doubles sent the Alfred Diette Spiff Civic Centre in raptures as the host country recorded an intensive (19-21, 19-21) to triumph to edge Mauritius.
Nigeria's Anuoluwapo Opeyori paired alongside Dorcas Adesokan in what was an extremely close two sets against Mauritius' pair of Julien Paul and Kate Foo Kune.
Team Nigeria started strong with a statement performance in the men's singles when the country's number one, Anuolwapo Opeyori showed immense superiority with his (11-21, 16-21) straight set win over Mauritius' Aatish Lubah.
Africa and Mauritius number one, Kate Foo Kune brought the game back on parity after a smart 21-12, 21-16 display against Deborah Ukeh.
The game was decided at (1-1) before the men's doubles of Aatish Lubah/Julien Paul saw off Clement Krobakpo/Enejo Abah in another straight set victory to give Mauritius a (2-1) lead.
Meanwhile, Deborah Ukeh/Dorcas Adesokan brought Team Nigeria back on a (2-2) parity when they defeated Aurelie Allet/ Lorna Bodha 8-21, 10-21 in the women's doubles before a hyper ending to a thrilling decider in the mixed doubles which saw Nigeria edge one of the favorites at the All Africa Senior Championships 2019.
Conclusively, the memorable evening was colorful with huge home support from the crowd and Kwara, Enugu, Rivers, Ogun, Fct and BFN Pioneers all in attendance alongside raffle draws that was anchor by notable MC.