TheCable

Musa Mustapha, nine, the youngest player at the ongoing Nigeria Open, says he will win the tournament in the future.

Musa alongside his brother, Mustapha, 10, played their first international tournament on Wednesday in the U-21 men’s singles.

The youngest players at the Nigeria Open 2018 hail from Borno state.

Despite being overpowered by their older opponents in both their two group matches, the Abuja-based duo vowed to keep improving after picking up the sport through their father, Saheed Mustapha, a former player.

Mustapha in action

Mustapha says his role model is Germany’s Timo Boll, adding that “we began playing table tennis in 2017 and have played in a few other tournaments but the Nigeria Open is our first international tournament.

“We have learned a lot from playing against more experienced players”.

Musa, whose role model is Japan’s Harimoto Tamokazu, declared confidently: “I will win the Nigeria Open in future.”

Mustapha lost to Nigeria’s Augustine Emmanuel 11-3, 11-2, 11-8 in the first group game and to Wang Xinyang of China in the second.

Musa lost to Tobi Falana 11-3, 11-6, 11-2 in his first group game before falling to Wael Ziad of Egypt in his second game.