It was a day of mixed fortunes for Nigeria in table tennis on Saturday as its women crashed out of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Olufunke Oshonaike, who a day earlier had won her preliminary round game failed to advance further later in the day as she lost to her Italian opponent in the first round.

Both Oshonaike and Offiong Edem had been drawn to play in the preliminary round of the event on its opening day.
Oshonaike had success against her opponent, Neda Shahsavari of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the morning at the Excel – North Arena 1, winning 4-3 in a 33-minute game.

After losing the opening game 11-13, she braced up to the challenge to win the next two games 11-8 for a 2-1 lead.
But her 25-year-old opponent rallied back to draw level with an 11-9 win, for a ding-dong affair that saw Oshonaike going 3-2 up with an 11-4 win and the Iranian drawing level with an 11-5 win.

However, the 36-year-old closed the game with an 11-3 win and advance to the first round.
Edem on her part while playing later at the same venue failed to stand toe-to-toe with her Egyptian opponent to lose 2-4 after a six-game match that stretched over 27 minutes.

Eighteen-year-old Dina Meshref won 11-5, 2-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6, 11-3, after 25-year-old Edem failed to take her chance in their fifth game.
But Oshonaike could not keep up the momentum she had in the morning as she lost 0-4 to 39-year-old Chinese-born Tan Wenling of Italy in their first round pairing later in the afternoon.

She lost 7-11, 5-11, 10-12, 1-11 in a 20-minute game to keep out Nigerian women from the competition.
In the men’s singles, Segun Toriola had also raised Nigerian hopes by winning his preliminary round match against 20-year-old Andre Ho of Canada.

He came from a set down to win 4-1 after 37 minutes, with a scoreline of 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10 and he was up against Swede Jorgen Persson later in the day in the first round.

It was also a good day at the office for Quadri Aruna, Nigeria’s second male entrant in the event and who had drawn bye into the first round.
The 23-year-old took his chances against his older opponent to win 4-2 after 35 minutes and advance into the second round.

After a 6-11 opening loss, he reversed the scores in the second game, lost 11-3 in the third, won at 13-11 at the rubber in the fourth for a 2-2 draw after four games.
He then went a gear higher to win the next two games 11-8, 11-6 and won a place in Sunday’s second round against Turkey’s Bora Vang.

oge4real: I cant help but wonder why we are not participating in sooooo many events that fetch other countries gold. The one that baffles me more is swimming. Where are the niger-delta brethren? Is that we are lacking water in Nigeria abi na wetin? There are lots of sports to keep the young ones busy and employed. We have more than enough in terms of finance and manpower, so what in God's name is happening?

oayombo: Swimming in the olympics goes beyond jumping inside water or ability to stay under water. The skills involved is something u should consider. Forget that naija delta or ilaje thing...na wash.

oge4real:

I understand what you mean, but I still believe that we can afford a good coach to recruit and train willing talents, especially young school children who will grow into stars tomorrow and eradicate the "overage syndrome" from Nigeria.

alaoeri: No wahala make una come back home afterall ωε mark attendance register.

oge4real:

I understand what you mean, but I still believe that we can afford a good coach to recruit and train willing talents, especially young school children who will grow into stars tomorrow and eradicate the "overage syndrome" from Nigeria.

hardeyincah: No more hope cos Aruna lost to VANG B after a tough 6 set, am so proud of Him cos he lasted than our Hope uncle/daddy/father Segun Toriola...

kool J: As is expected,what with late hour preparation. So whose butt is gonna get kicked next?

oayombo: Swimming in the olympics goes beyond jumping inside water or ability to stay under water. The skills involved is something u should consider. Forget that naija delta or ilaje thing...na wash.

ebamma: if nigeria can win atleast 2 gold medals,i will be happy.