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Adeyinka Adedipe, Benin.
Nigeria’s top badminton player, Anuoluwa Opeyori, has admitted it was tough retaining his African title after he emerged champion of the All Africa Senior Championships in South Africa last weekend.
The Nigerian defeated Mauritius’ Julien Paul 18-21, 21-13, 21-18 to win gold, making it three titles in five years, having won in Port Harcourt in 2019 and Kampala, Uganda in 2022.
He had also won the men’s singles title at the African Games in Morocco in 2019.
Opeyori told The PUNCH that the final was a tough duel, considering that he had to come from a set down to beat his opponent, noting that his quarter-final game, which he almost lost, propelled him to the famous win.
He said, “The final game was a tough duel for me. I had to come from a set down to beat my opponent. It was sweet victory for Nigeria as four of our 10-man delegation were denied visas by the hosts.
“I feel very happy to have won again despite what is happening in the country and the challenges I am facing. I am also happy I didn’t let these stop me from achieving my goal in the tournament and retaining my title.
“Overall , the entire tournament was a tough one for me, especially the quarter-finals, when I almost lost. But I’m happy I stayed strong mentally. I also feel for my teammates who were unable to get visas to attend the tournament despite their sacrifices.
“The most important thing, for now, is to stay focused on qualifying for the Paris Olympics 2024 and represent Nigeria well at the event.”
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, said the victory was a new beginning for the sport in the country, admitting that the sport suffered a setback following an internal wrangling that was resolved last year.
“We are back to reassert our commanding stature in Africa,” Orbih said.