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Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.....
It was a moment of triumph and resurrection for Nigerian table tennis as the host nation clinched gold medals in both the boys’ U-19 and U-15 team events on Tuesday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
In the highly anticipated U-19 boys’ team final, Nigeria faced off against perennial rivals Tunisia. Roared on by a passionate home crowd, the young Nigerians put up a thrilling display of skill and determination. The deciding moment came when Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, carrying the hopes of the nation, stepped up to the table against Tunisia’s Mohamed Khaloufi. With nerves of steel and clinical precision, Abdulfatai delivered a commanding 3-0 victory, sealing the tie for Nigeria and restoring their status as continental champions—an especially sweet achievement after missing out on the title in 2024.
The match not only brought Nigeria gold but also confirmed their qualification for the prestigious ITTF World Youth Championship (WYC) in Romania later this year. For a team built on youthful exuberance and experienced coaching, this result bodes well for their aspirations on the world stage.
U15 Boys Team Event
Not to be outdone, Nigeria’s U-15 boys backed up their senior compatriots by racing through the competition to secure the country’s second gold of the day. Their cohesion, tactics, and technical sharpness proved too much for their opponents at every stage of the tournament, signalling a bright future ahead for Nigerian table tennis.
Celebrating amidst cheers and chants, the team’s head coach hailed the double gold as “a testament to the hard work, discipline, and team spirit of our boys.” The consecutive titles light up a path forward, with Nigeria firmly re-establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in African youth table tennis.
With these victories, Nigeria not only regains continental glory but also cements its place among Africa’s elite teams bound for global competition in Romania. Fans and officials alike now look to the future with renewed confidence, anticipating even greater achievements at the upcoming World Youth Championships.
U15 Girls Team Event
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Uganda made history by winning their first-ever continental gold in the U15 girls’ team category. In a dramatic final against Tunisia, Uganda rallied from 1-2 down, with Africa Hopes Week champion Patience Anyango clinching the title in a high-pressure, five-game decider.
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Tunisia earned silver, while Egypt and Algeria took bronze
Summary Table
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| U19 Boys Team | Nigeria | Tunisia | Egypt, Algeria |
| U19 Girls Team | Egypt | Nigeria | Madagascar, South Africa |
| U15 Boys Team | Nigeria | Egypy | Ghana, Algeria |
| U15 Girls Team | Uganda | Tunisia | Egypt, Algeria |
What’s Next?
With team events now concluded, attention shifts to the singles and doubles competitions, where Nigerian players will again look to make their mark.
