Ogualu rallies past Samuel 9-7 at NNPC-SNEPCo Junior Championship

Emmanuella Ogualu recovered from an earlier defeat by Gloria Samuel to win the Girls 16s title at the NNPC-SNEPCo Junior Championship, beating the top seed 9-7 in the final.

The Nigerian-born player, who is based in the Netherlands, had entered the tournament as preparation for international junior ranking events. Her route to the title became more difficult after Samuel defeated her 9-4 in their final round-robin Group A match, leaving Ogualu second in the group.

Ogualu responded in the cross-over semi-final by defeating Bisola Ogunkolade, the winner of Group B, to set up another meeting with Samuel. The rematch produced a different result as Ogualu settled into the contest and used forceful shot placement to take control.

She moved 7-3 ahead in the pro-set and struck seven aces during the final. Samuel fought back to reduce the deficit and moved within one game at 7-8, but Ogualu held firm to complete the 9-7 victory.

Adesinmi Olayinka won the Girls 14s after overcoming a major challenge from Chisimdi Afammbonu. Olayinka had led 8-3 before Afammbonu levelled the contest, but the top seed took the deciding tiebreak after her opponent began to tire.

The other age-group winners were Godwin Afaramai in the Boys 12s, Heman Afaramai in the Boys 16s, Goodluck Tersoo in the Boys 14s and Chimdiuto Obiora in the Girls 12s. Heman defeated Damilola Agunbiade 9-5, while Tersoo recorded the same score against Daniel Igbinovia. Obiora beat Venus Babalola, and Godwin Afaramai defeated Divine Ezaka after a determined performance. Obiora and Godwin Afaramai were named the tournament’s most outstanding players.