Telecom Games: Alcatel seek first win

James Ochei of Airtel Nigeria made light of their defeat by MTN Nigeria when he said ‘we lost to the defending champions’ and then promised their colleagues that the team will bounce back.

This Sunday is the bounce back date as they match up with Alcatel Lucent in what is easily the crunch tie of the Nigeria Telecommunication Games Match Day 4.

“We truly gave our all and this is the best match we have played but couldn’t get past the defending champions. I promise our colleagues who came out to cheer us that Airtel will bounce back and we will go all out to win the next game to remain in contention”, Ochei promised.

Airtel joined the growing list of teams that went down to MTN on Match Day 3 when they lost 2-O to the Cup holders.

Hassan Olumide of Alcatel Lucent knows they need to dig deeper to knock-up a first win in the tournament which is gradually dragging to a finish.

But Alcatel are coming against an Airtel that is still riding the crest of first match success on their first outing in the tournament.

Both sides share the common bond of having tasted defeat in the hands of run-away leaders, MTN and it is only the side that is able to physically and mentally exercise the fear of that defeat that can possibly make hey in this encounter.

For MTN, it is another opportunity to extend their domination in the championship on a day their closest rivals, Etisalat are not listed to play. MTN has won all its matches this season and are looking unstoppable as they take on LM Ericsson in the first game of Match Bay 4.

So far, MTN are ahead of the pack with maximum nine points from three games and are followed by Etisalat who are on six points with three games also. Airtel has played two matches, won one and lost one to hang onto three points.

Other events of March Day 4 are the continuation of competitions in Scrabble and Chess in the tournament organised by MediaVision Limited.