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Oshonaike Hails Steady Progress of Nigerian Table Tennis Players
Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike said Nigerian table tennis players are making steady progress in spite of the challenges they face in competing regularly at international tournaments.
Oshonaike said in an interview on Wednesday in Lagos.
She said many players are improving in both skill and experience, but limited financial support continues to affect their development and world rankings.
“The players are improving, and the girls are improving too, but the others are also making progress.
“What many people do not understand is that regular participation in international tournaments is necessary for athletes to improve, gain experience and move up on the rankings,” she said.
According to her, the biggest challenge facing many Nigerian players is not a lack of talent, but the high cost of participating in international competitions.
She explained that competing in World Table Tennis (WTT) events and other global tournaments requires significant financial resources, which many athletes struggle to secure.
“If you want to play in WTT competitions, it is very expensive. Sometimes athletes have to fund themselves to attend competitions.
“We are not like footballers who have a lot of money. Without regular competitions, it is difficult to improve rankings,” Oshonaike said.
The table tennis icon noted that in spite of these challenges, Nigerian players have continued to show determination and commitment in their pursuit of excellence.
She said many athletes often rely on personal funds to participate in continental championships and other important tournaments needed for their growth.
Throughout her career, she became known for her consistency, discipline and resilience, earning respect from players and administrators across the world.
The table tennis icon also disclosed plans to revive her table tennis clinic for young players, particularly girls, as part of efforts to contribute to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
Oshonaike said the initiative would, however, depend on securing adequate sponsorship and support from corporate organisations and other stakeholders.
“I really want to do something, especially for the girls, but I cannot do it alone.
“I just hope I can get sponsors to support me. By the grace of God, if not this year, by 2027, I will start a big clinic,” she said.
She noted that grassroots programmes and youth clinics remained important avenues for discovering and nurturing future champions.
The Olympian also commended Nigeria’s leading player, Quadri Aruna, for his efforts toward establishing a table tennis academy aimed at developing young talents and creating opportunities for the next generation of players.
For more than three decades, Oshonaike has remained one of the most respected figures in Nigerian sports.
She represented Nigeria at seven Olympic Games, making her one of Africa’s most accomplished table tennis players.
She said such initiatives are critical to sustaining Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s leading table tennis nations.
By David Torough, Abuja
Spain were crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a tense and dramatic final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.
The final remained goalless through regulation time despite Spain dominating possession and creating the better chances.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez produced a series of outstanding saves to frustrate Luis de la Fuente’s side and keep the holders in contention.Argentina’s task became even more difficult in stoppage time of the second half when midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, reducing Lionel Messi’s side to 10 men for extra time.
Spain eventually made their numerical advantage count when Nico Williams brilliantly kept Pedro Porro’s cross alive before laying the ball into the path of Torres, who fired beyond Martínez to spark wild celebrations among the Spanish players and supporters.
The victory capped a remarkable campaign for Spain, who conceded just one goal in seven matches while eliminating Portugal, Belgium, France and Argentina on their way to lifting football’s biggest prize.
For Argentina, the defeat ended their bid to successfully defend the title won in Qatar. Messi, making what is expected to be his final World Cup appearance, could not inspire a comeback as the South Americans struggled to create meaningful chances throughout the contest.
Tempers flared after the final whistle, with players from both sides involved in a brief confrontation following the highly physical encounter.
Spain’s triumph also saw them make history as the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles, underlining their dominance in world football and marking a new golden era for Spanish football.
Kylian Mpappe said he and his France teammates did not perform well to progress to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final after their 2-0 defeat against Spain on Tuesday.
France went into the game as the favorite but Didier Deschamps’ men were completely outplayed by a better tactical and technical Spain.
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro secured Spain’s spot in the World Cup Final, since the last time they won the tournament in South Africa 2010.
Luis de la Fuente’s men completely dominated France, restricting them to just two shots on target all game.
France had scored 16 goals before the game but Spain rendered Mbappe and his co-attackers ineffective on Tuesday.Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe described the French team’s performance as disappointing and not worthy of a final spot.
“We did not produce the performance we wanted, tactically, technically or in terms of our overall level,” Mbappe said.
“When you fail to do what you are supposed to do in a World Cup semi-final, you do not win.
“Spain stuck to their plan and to what they believe in. There was a lack of communication in our pressing, even when we won possession back, our first passes and first touches were not worthy of a World Cup semi-final,” he added.
After the game, France coach Didier Deschamps said his team lost to a better team.
“The players are devastated, but we have to be clear-headed: technically, we were second best. That is on us.”
Pedro Porro who scored the second goal for Spain said the victory is a dream come true for him, and added that his side did everything right against a brilliant team.
“A dream come true to be honest. I never even imagined anything like this, not even in my wildest dreams,” Porro said.
“We did everything right against a team that was having a brilliant World Cup,” he added.
Spain will discover their final opponents on Wednesday when England face Argentina in Atlanta for a place in Sunday’s final.
Two-time World Cup champions France will on Tuesday take on Spain, the reigning European champions and 2010 FIFA World Cup champions, in a match dubbed the “Clash of the Titans.”
It is the first semi-final fixture and one of the most anticipated match-ups of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
France is aiming for a third consecutive World Cup final appearance, led by the attacking prowess of Captain Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé, as expected, has dominated the tournament, taking his performances to another level as he leads the scoring chart with eight goals and three assists.
He is a force to be reckoned with, and his brilliance has inspired teammates such as Ousmane Dembélé, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year.
Together with Michael Olise, they have tormented opposing defences and given French fans the belief that 2026 could be their year.
France has been one of the standout teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
They reached the semi-finals with an unbeaten run and have looked strong in both attack and defence.
They defeated Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0 and Norway 4-1 to finish top of their group with three wins from three matches.
In the Round of 32, France beat Sweden 3-0 before edging Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16, with Mbappé converting a penalty.
In the quarter-finals, they defeated tournament favourites Morocco 2-0, thanks to goals from Mbappé and Dembélé, to advance to the semi-finals.
Mbappé and Dembélé have been among the tournament’s most dangerous attacking players.
Together, they have scored 13 goals, matching a World Cup record for a pair of teammates.
France’s next challenge is a blockbuster semi-final against Spain, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
Similarly, Spain, the reigning European champions, have impressed with their possession-based football and the emergence of young stars such as Lamine Yamal.
While France has been the tournament’s highest-scoring side, Spain has combined strong defensive performances with midfield dominance.
Spain has also been one of the standout teams at the World Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time since winning the tournament in 2010.
They finished top of Group H, defeating Uruguay 1-0, thrashing Saudi Arabia 4-0 and playing out a goalless draw against a resilient Cabo Verde side.
They maintained their impressive form by crushing Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32.
They defeated Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal 1-0 in a keenly contested and thrilling Round of 16 encounter, courtesy of a late winner from Mikel Merino.
Spain eliminated Belgium 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with Merino once again scoring the decisive late goal.
So far, Spain has conceded only one goal on the way to the semi-finals, making them one of the tournament’s strongest defensive teams.
They joined Argentina, France and England as the four top-ranked nations to reach the semi-finals, marking a historic first since the FIFA World Rankings were introduced.
Spain’s clash against the highly rated France promises to be a fascinating semi-final, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
It is expected to be a mouth-watering tactical battle between France’s pace on the counter-attack and Spain’s patient possession game.
Meanwhile, as football fans across the globe eagerly await the encounter, supporters in Lagos are equally excited.
Femi Oshisami, a trader, said he was confident Spain would eliminate France because of his passion for Spanish football, which he considers superior to the French style.
He believes Spain is hungry for another major title after winning the current European Championship and looks capable of repeating the feat at the World Cup.
“It is going to be very explosive, a match to behold, and I am confident Spain will win at the end,” Oshisami said.
Similarly, Emeka Chukwura said he is a big fan of Mbappé and believes France is unstoppable because the team possesses the quality to break down any opposition in the competition.
“I have my money on France. They have a great team with players of different qualities who are basically world-class.
“They are aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the final, which is a credit to their hard work and consistency,” Chukwura said.
In the same vein, Yussuf Tijani, a shoe cobbler, said the World Cup has been very interesting and highly competitive.
He said he was heartbroken when the African teams were eliminated but still supports France because of the presence of players of African descent in the squad.
“I believe France will beat Spain to reach the final. They are a good team and have the capability to handle any kind of pressure,” Tijani said.
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