One of Nigeria’s shinning star, Olajide Omotayo on Tuesday was sent packing by his compatriot, Akinwale Fagbamila in the round of 16 of the boys’ U-21 event of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Lagos World Tour holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria.
Olajide Omotayo
The Italy-based player had on Monday suffered a defeat in the hand of Tunisian player in the men’s qualification round but managed to progress to the main draw after a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Azeez Ogunlade.
But against a more-determined Fagbamila, Omotayo failed to shine as he fell 3-2 to exit the event.
A disappointed Omotayo said he hopes to take consolation in the singles event when he clash another player from Egypt.
Speaking after the encounter, Omotayo said: “I did not start very well today but when I realized that I had to recover, I leveled up but while I was leading 5-2 in the final game, I don’t just know what happened to me to lose in such manner.“I have not been playing very well in this competition and my confidence is waning, I think I will try my best in the Men’s Singles hopefully I will progress. I think I am not having a good tournament,” he lamented.
For Fagbamila, beating Omotayo was a cherish victory. “When I played in the preliminaries, I did not really play well but I managed to progress to the round of 16. But I decided to train hard until late on Monday and this really put me in good form for today’s match. I started well against Omotayo but I thought we were playing best of seven until we changed that I realized we were playing best of five,” he said.“My backhand and forehand really worked for me in the match and I was sure that I will win the match. Being the second time of playing Omotayo, today’s victory was a revenge of the loss I suffered in our first meeting.
Hopefully, I am optimistic that I can go far in this competition as I am in fine form,” he added.Also yesterday, Nigeria’s Ayo Omotara claimed the needed victory against Cameroun’s Jague Alain Patrick to berth in the main draw.“The game has been tough for me…facing best of the best from another country is not a child’s play. This is my first time of playing in an international competition of this standard.. But this is my home and qualifying into the rounds of 32…I know I will meet stronger opponent(s) as the game progresses. All I need is to stay focused”.
