By Tony Ubani, Maputo
Nigeria’s hunt for seven gold medals in the Table Tennis ended with tears when arch rivals, Egypt dashed the Nigerian hopes by clinching the gold in the final of the Team Event.

The Pharaohs beat Nigeria 3-2 to claim gold while Nigeria with golden desire ended with silver. Team Nigeria’s captain, Funke Oshonaike could not contain her tears.

“It’s a sad story”, Scribe Segun Oguntade cried. Sports Minister Suleiman and NOC President Sani Ndanusa had to console them to no end. Oshonaike gave so much hope when she stroked off on a winning note dismissing her Egyptian opponent 3-1.

But Offiong Edem floundered the lead losing 3-1. But Offiong teamed up with Cecilia to bring parity by beating Egypt 3-2. With scores at 2-2, Oshonaike came on redemption mission and won the first set to get the Nigerians singing. That however was how far she could go.

The Egyptian was on rampage and took the last set and the gold. Oshonaike, one of Africa’s most capped player with six All Africa Games appearances and four Olympic caps wept.

Another gold goes to Egypt

Egypt deny Nigeria an other gold Nigeria slumped yet again and lost two straight gold medals to Egypt on a cold night in Maputo. The women team started the free fall losing to Egypt and their male counterparts followed suit losing successfully to the Pharaohs. The Nigerian maleTeam Event lost 3-0.

Quadri Aruna, Seun Toriola and Segun Ajetumobi lost in that order.

It was a total annihilation of the Nigerian Men team. The shots were too much for Nigeria. The Egyptians claimed their second gold of the night while Nigeria went home with two silver on a night that many Nigerians turned out to begin their expected gold h