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We will conquer all in table tennis, Edem Offiong boasts

By Samuel Ifetoye
27 August 2015   |   3:25 am
With Team Nigeria finalizing its preparation for next month’s All Africa Games holding in Congo Brazzaville from September 4 to 19, one of the country’s medal hopeful and defending champion in the women table tennis event, Edem Offiong, says her team is on course to make the nation proud again.
Edem-Offiong

Edem Offiong

With Team Nigeria finalizing its preparation for next month’s All Africa Games holding in Congo Brazzaville from September 4 to 19, one of the country’s medal hopeful and defending champion in the women table tennis event, Edem Offiong, says her team is on course to make the nation proud again.

Speaking to The Guardian at the National Stadium, Surulere, Offiong says she is ready to face any opponent despite the threats posed by both the Egyptians and the Congolese.

According to her, “I have been training so hard for this All Africa Games as the defending champion. I know all eyes will be on me and I cannot afford to disappoint.

I believe with God on my side, all things are possible. I am not saying that I am going to retain my title, but will work hard to defend it. I hope to make my country proud and myself.” Commenting on Congo Brazzaville that would be represented by some Chinese, the nation’s number one ranked player said: “There is nothing special about the Chinese.

I have played with them several times and I have not seen anything unique about them. With 100 per cent concentration, we can beat anyone of them.

For Congo Brazzaville to present China citizens in the table tennis event means that they don’t have confidence in the players that have been representing them. In Nigeria’s case, we are blessed with a lot of talents.

I believe with the support of our senior players and the technical input from the new technical adviser, we will defeat them. The Chinese are not so fantastic, we are not scared of them; we can play anybody.

Though we have not really spent much time with the new technical adviser, but I know with his wealth of experience, his inputs would be pivotal. What is required of us is to be focused.

The fact that he (Adomeit) is here doesn’t mean we should now put all the pressure on him. Hopefully, with the spirit in camp, we hope to do well in Congo Brazzaville.”

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