TheCable

Nigeria’s quest for promotion to the championship division of the ITTF World Team Championships has come to an end.

Slovakia on Friday defeated Nigeria, the only African team campaigning in the second division.

Aruna Quadri, Bode Abiodun and Olajide Omotayo were beaten by the trio of Lubomir Pistej, Samuel Novota and Wang Yang.

Pistej defeated Quadri 3-1 win while Novota beat Abiodun 3-2. Omotayo, the youngest member of the Nigerian team, fell to the defensive prowess of Yang.

With the 3-0 bashing of Nigeria, Slovakia will now face Hungary in the semi-final as the Hungarians defeated Italy 3-1.

Jaromir Truksa, Slovakia’s coach, said: “I am so happy that we were able to beat Nigeria twice in this competition,” Truksa said.

“In our previous meetings, they have always been defeating us but this time around I won against them twice in same competition.

“This has really helped our confidence and I must also say that I must commend Pistej that despite the injury he copped he was able to beat Quadri who is one of the best players in the world.”