After recording a 3-0 penultimate round success against the host nation’s Augustine Baidoo and Samuel Hagan, the same margin of victory was recorded in the final when facing the Congo Democratic comprising Christian Mbongia and Exauce Ngefussa.

Azeez Solanke gave his team the perfect start by beating Exauce Ngefussa (11-9, 11-7, 11-6), before Abayomi Animasahun overcame Christian Mbongia to extend the advantage; matters concluded with a four games doubles win (12-14, 11-6, 14-12, 11-5).

One contest earlier, at the semi-final stage, Christian Mbongia and Exauce Ngefussa had accounted for the partnership comprising Costa Rica’s Alfredo Sanchez and James Smith; a 3-1 verdict was the end result, the one win for the defeated being recorded by Alfredo Sanchez.

In the opening match of the fixture, he beat Christian Mbongia (11-6, 6-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9).

Comprehensive performances, Azeez Solanke and Abayomi Animasahun struck gold without being stretched the full five match distance at any stage of proceedings; it was the same for Taiwo Mati and Jamiu Ayanwale in the cadet boys’ team event.

A 3-1 success was the margin of victory in the final in opposition to India’s Mainak Nistala and Arnav Manoj Karnavar; after in the semi-final round a 3-0 victory had been posted against Saudi Arabia’s Salem Alsuwailem and Khalid Alshareif.

An imposing performance from Taiwo Mati and Jamiu Ayanwale to book their place in the final, it was the same from Mainak Nistala and Arnav Manoj Karnavar. They posted a 3-0 win in opposition to Ghana’s Godwin Aseku and Godsword Daniel Tawiah.

The junior boys’ team and cadet boys’ team events concluded, attention now turns to the individual competitions.

Meanwhile, winners of the junior girls’ team title at the 2019 Ghana Junior and Cadet Open; both India’s Diya Parag Chitale and Nandeshwaree Jalim enjoyed success as the junior girls’ singles event commenced on Wednesday 3rd April at the Ghana Junior and Cadet Open in Accra.

Both completed their first phase matches unbeaten; thus in first place in their respective groups and a passport to the main draw acquired.

However, there were surprises; in particular, the efforts of Nigeria’s Sukuarat Aiyelbegan attracted the attention.

Competing in three events, she ended the day unbeaten; first place in the mini-cadet girls’ singles group was as expected, she was the top seed. In the remaining disciplines she upset the pecking order.

In the junior girls’ singles event, after accounting for Ghana’s Matilda Fodu (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-13, 11-5), she beat Congo Democratic’s Gloria Dianda, the no.4 seed (11-1, 11-1, 11-1). Meanwhile, in the cadet girls’ singles competition, following success in opposition to India’s Ananya Chande (11-13, 11-9, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9), she took a further liking to a Congo Democratic adversary by overcoming Julie Kayembe (11-1, 11-4, 11-5).

Defeat for Julie Kayembe, it was the same for colleague Lily Dinanga with whom she shared the no.2 seeded spot; likewise she suffered at Nigerian hands. She was beaten by Sadiat Alimat Akeem (11-3, 11-5, 11-1), a young lady who will celebrate her 11th birthday on Thursday 4th April and duly topped her mini-cadet girls’ singles group.

Notably for both Gloria Dianda and Lily Dinanga, it was their only defeat of the day; thus second place and progress to the main draw is still possible; for Julie Kayembe, progress is a forlorn cause. In her opening contest of the day she was beaten by Ghana’s Joanna Amissah (11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Performances to note as was that of the host nation’s Sandra Arhin, she ended the day unbeaten in the mini-cadet girls’ singles event, a situation that applied also to England’s Ruby Chan; the no.5 seed in the junior girls’ singles competition and the cadet girls’ singles top seed.