In a thrilling match at the Molade Okoye Sports Hall in Lagos, Nigeria, Ghanaian table tennis duo Bernice Borquaye and Agnes Coleman proved their mettle, securing a spot in the quarterfinals of the ongoing WTT Contender series.
The highly anticipated match against Nigerian pair Maryam Ahmed and Fatimoh Ahmed had all the makings of a nail-biter, with the home crowd eagerly cheering on their favorites. However, the Ghanaian pair demonstrated exceptional skill and strategy, ultimately emerging victorious with a 3-2 win (11-8, 11-8, 11-13, 8-11, 11-7).
The match got off to a flying start, with Borquaye and Coleman dominating the first two games with convincing wins of 11-8 and 11-8. Their precise serves, razor-sharp reflexes, and clever shot placement left their opponents struggling to keep pace. The Nigerian pair, however, refused to give up, and the third game saw them mount a strong comeback, winning 13-11. This brief lapse in concentration from the Ghanaian duo set the stage for a tense and closely contested fourth game.
In the fourth game, Maryam Ahmed and Fatimoh Ahmed capitalized on their momentum, taking the game 11-8 and leveling the match at 2-2. But Borquaye and Coleman, drawing on their experience and composure, regrouped and refocused for the decisive fifth game.
The final game was a masterclass in table tennis, with both pairs displaying incredible skill and determination. In the end, it was the Ghanaian duo’s superior strategy and mental toughness that paid off, as they took the game 11-7 and sealed their spot in the quarterfinals.
“From the start, we thought they will beat us but we realized we can, if we push harder. And we did it. We are very happy because the Nigerians are very difficult to be beaten. We have qualified to play another group of Nigerians in the quarterfinals, we shall beat them again.” The pair said briefly, after the emphatic win.
As senior players of the Ghana Navy team, Agnes Coleman and Bernice Borquaye, are expected to raise the flag of Ghana high as well their club.