A new flame has been lit in the age-long Ghana-Nigeria sporting rivalry - This time around it tennis. This comes after Nigeria's Michael Moses and Sarah Adegoke won the recorded a double win over Ghana in the grand final of the McDan Open West Africa Tournament at the Accra Stadium at the weekend.

Nigerian top seed Michael Moses who had stated his silverware-capturing intentions during the quarter final stage of the tournament, lived every bit of his words as he shook off a slow start in the first game to eventually win the coveted title, over two hours and 30 minutes.

The game played before a big partisan crowd who were rooting for Na-Adjrago saw the Ghanaian push Moses to some errors in the first few games.

The Ghanaian who was playing his first final shot into a 4-2 lead and at the point all looked positive and rosy but the tide turned in the latter stages of the set. Moses who looked better-conditioned relaxed and started placing some good smashes and well calculated forehand strokes beyond Na-Adjrago to end the first set 7-5.

Moses who is ranked 1402 by the ATP staged a bigger performance in the second set. From the word go, the Nigerian executed his match-winning plot with better focused service, and double back hand strokes that neutralized Na-Adjrago's attack.

The Ghanaian only managed to win a game leaving Moses to totally dominate with his calmness and superior technique. The second set ended 6-1 to hand the men's title to the confident Nigerian.

En route to the final Moses had made victims of Ghana's Eric Tetteh Nartey 6-1,6-2 in the quarter-finals and Burkinabe, Joel Meda 2-6,6-2,6-4-6 in the semis.

Nigeria's Michael Moses delivers one of his power serves during the men's final

His reward package had $1000, a silver trophy, beverages from Twellium Industries, as well as tennis shoes and rackets from the Ghana representative of Babolat, Baboo Sports. Na-Adjrago received a similar package but with a cash component of $600.

In a brief chat with Joy Sports, Moses, admitted it was tough playing before Na-Adjrago's home crowd.

"It was a nervy start for me but at the point where Na-Adjrago was leading 4-2 I had to shake off the "slumber" and continue the execution of my mission which is to win."

"This tournament has been very  well-organised and I am glad to have been part of it and most importantly win the ultimate. I am grateful to God," he said.

The enthusiastic crowd had earlier  been given a hint of a full Nigerian conquest of Ghana as former national top seed Sarah Adegoke also completed her mission against Kate Coleman on Ghana in two sets - 6-1, 6-0. Coleman who was playing in her second McDan Open final found it tough returning Adegoke's sharp service and long forehand shots.

Adegoke received $ 500,  a silver trophy, a kit from Babolat and products from Twellium Industries.

A highly elated Sarah said she initially got worried in the preliminaries because there were some very good players.

"I was able to play my game and gave off my best and finally it has paid off. For me it's a big deal that I have won this prestigious title outside my home country. I look forward to next year's event to defend my title," she added. 

Ladies winner Sarah Adegoke about to return a serve with a double back hand stroke

Attendance at the tournament final has been described by many as the best since Ghana's staging of her last Davis Cup Tournament over a decade ago.

Amongst the many were Ghana's Minister for Environment Science and Technology, Mahama Ayariga, Acting President of the Ghana Tennis Federation Mr Isaac Aboagye Duah, Dr Daniel McKorley, Executive Chairman of the McDan Group, head line sponsors for the event and Deputy Chief Executive of the National Sports Authority, Mr Saka Acquaye. Twellium Industries, the producers of Rush Energy Drink.

Also present were Ms Valentina Mintah, CEO  of West Blue Consulting, Mr Ali Ajami, a Director of Twellium Industries and Mr Joe Biney, CEO of Baj Freight Limited.

The tournament was headline-sponsored by the McDan Group with supporting sponsorship from West Blue Consulting and Twellium Industries.

Wisdom Na-Adjrago delivers a powerful serve in the men's final

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