The Nigerian teams have been ruled out of contention for a place in the knockout stage of the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships taking place in Busan, South Korea.
It was the women’s team that first failed to make it to the second round after losing to Mexico and Slovakia in their matches at the tournament.
The trio of Edem Offiong, Ajoke Ojomu and Esther Oribamishe could not withstand their Mexican and Slovak opponents as they fell 3-0 in the two encounters.
The absence of captain Quadri Aruna may have taken a toll on the men’s team after they were walked over by Japan while they suffered a 3-0 and 3-1 defeat to Chinese Taipei and Madagascar.
Olajide Omotayo and Bode Abiodun failed to capitalise on their experience against the youthful Madagascan side as they were humbled 3-1 by their African counterparts.
This development may have put an end to the ambition of Nigeria as they are yet to record a win in all their matches while the men’s last group match is against Czech Republic on Monday February 20 at the Busan Exhibition Convention Centre (BEXCO).