After Day 1 matches, Raji Abdulbakir (popularly known as Feras) is leading the Group A in the Joy Heyball Masters Division One Tour (Nigeria qualifiers), The snooker tournament commenced on Tuesday at the Nicon Town Recreation Centre, Lekki, Lagos.
Leading with two points, Abuja-based Abdulbakir takes an advantage into Day 2 to ward off any push that would be coming from other three opponents in his group.
Despite coming late for his first game that made the technical committee of the Snooker and Pool Players Alliance to initially issue a workover against him to his opponent, Nosa Lawani’s advantage. The decision was later rescinded after Abdulbakir’s appeal was presented and reviewed by the technical committee because of the merit of his explanation.
In the first match, Abdulbakir beat Lawani 5-3 in a Race 5 keenly contested game, which ended after eight games. Abdulbakir exhibited his proficiency and skill despite Lawani’s spirited challenge.
In the second match of the day, Charles Chijide was no match for Shehu Bamidele in a game that ended 5-1 with the latter achieving seven ball crushing defeat in his fifth game. The match ended after six games.
The match of the day was between Abubakir and Chijide that ended 5-2 after seven games in the race to five Rack event.
Despite the high level of skill exhibited by the players, they struggled in achieving Break and Run, which is a requirement if any of them finally wins the Nigeria qualifier, and faced with the task of facing other participants coming from different countries to participate in the 2023 Joy Heyball Master Division One Tour #2 holding in Lanzhou City, China from 23rd June – 3rd July 2023.
Matches in Group B will commence from Thursday as the winner of Groups A and B will face off in the finals holding on Saturday.
