African Games: Can This Set Of Nigerian Players Win Gold? Ex-gold Medalist Gives Verdict
Nigeria’s tennis team to the 13th All African Games have successfully landed in Accra, Ghana, for the quadrennial event.
Although the team in Ghana at the moment does not have the full components yet, some of the players representing the country left for the African Games with athletes from other sports on Monday night.
The list released by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) comprises a number of players coming in from the United States and some of their counterparts based in Nigeria.
US-based Christopher Bulus and Adesuwa Osabuohien are early arrivals to Africa while the quartet of Divine Nweke, Oyinlomo Quadre, Marylove Edwards and Wilson Igbinovia are being expected.
Former Nigerian number one, Uche Oparaoji, aka Lefty and Abubakar Yusuf are already in Ghana to warm up ahead of the Games.
READ ALSO: How We Won Nigeria’s Last Gold Medal At The African Games – Mbanu
While Nigerian tennis followers are extremely hopeful for a better outing this time around, compared to what was experienced in 2019, Nigeria Tennis Live reached out to Onyeka Mbanu, a former gold medalist on what he thinks of the current set of players.
Nigeria won bronze at the Morocco Games in 2019, and Mbanu, a former gold medalist in the Doubles event alongside Clifford Enosoregbe, believes that we can go better than that.
When asked if the current crop of players has reached the heights of players who participated in such competitions during his time, he said: “The current crop of players that I have seen, and the results we have heard that they have managed to bring back home, it’s quite plausible. I’ll give them their credit.
“They’re great players, much love and respect to them. But we cannot compare these guys to what we used to have, they are different times completely.
“I’m talking about players like Mumuni (Babalola), Shehu Lawal, Candy Idoko, Sani, Clifford, Henry Atseye, Sunday Maku, me…
“I mean no disrespect, but I can’t compare. It’s a topic of no debate, it’s not a topic for discussion. Again, no disrespect to them, but there are different times”.
READ ALSO: All You Need To Know About Nigeria’s Players To 13th African Games
But while giving his verdict on what he believes the team can achieve in Ghana, Mbanu said: “Basically, my verdict would be a resounding gold, there’s nothing to it.
“The All African Games provides a platform for athletes from across the continent to compete against each other and showcase their talent and skills.
“It’s an amazing event, I’m not going to lie. Winning a medal at such a prestigious event showcases how hard an athlete has been working and if you do manage to get a gold medal, that means you’re worth it.
“If you got a gold medal be it in Singles or in Doubles, it means you are worth it. It means you have worked hard and this is your reward for showcasing your talent and sharing your abilities with the African continent.”
