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When Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna stepped into the French Pro B League with Amiens, expectations were high. Known for his explosive forehand and relentless fighting spirit, Aruna did not disappoint. In his debut on Tuesday, September 22, he battled through a tense opener to secure a 3–2 victory over Lille – a statement that the Nigerian ace is ready to leave his mark in France.
Aruna’s journey has always been about resilience. Despite Amiens not starting strongly, he reminded fans of his pedigree with a commanding 3–1 win over Iranian Hossein Hodaei. It was a performance that spoke volumes – not just about his skill, but about his ability to rise above challenges and justify the management’s faith in him.
Elsewhere, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa was the driving force behind Courbevoie STT’s 3–2 triumph over Compiégnois TT 1.
His sharp play and leadership set the tone for his team, underscoring the growing influence of African talents in the league.
The African presence was further felt in Nantes, where legendary Segun Toriola – now doubling as player-coach – guided his side to a 3–1 win over Frejus AMSL. Toriola’s wealth of experience blended seamlessly with the youthful energy of Egyptian prodigy Youssef Abdelaziz and the seasoned craft of Greek veteran Panagiotis Gionis.
Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Taiwo Mati may not have featured in Le Havre ATT’s tie, but their team still celebrated a 3–1 victory over Boulogne Billancourt AC, giving the duo a winning start to their campaign.
Algeria’s Stephane Ouaiche also made headlines, as his Caen TTC side delivered a flawless 3–0 win over Miramas AS to top the league table. Meanwhile, compatriot Maheidine Bella showed promise with Proville ASL, securing their only point in a 1–3 loss to Pontoise-Cergy AS.
For Benin Republic’s Salifou Abdel-Kader, the night was less fortunate. Left out of Compiégnois TT’s lineup, he watched his team fall 0–3 to Bouloussa’s Courbevoie STT – a tough start for the Beninese star.
Yet, the spotlight remains firmly on Aruna. His arrival has injected fresh hope into Amiens, a club determined to fight its way back to the top division. With Caen leading the table and Amiens sitting third, all eyes now turn to next Tuesday, September 29, when Aruna will lead his team away against Toriola’s Nantes. Victory there could propel Amiens closer to the summit – and further cement Aruna’s reputation as Africa’s torchbearer in French table tennis.
