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Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.....
Assar and Goda dominate singles; team stage begins on the road to the 2026 World Championships in London
The atmosphere inside the Rades Multisports Hall was electric this morning as the men’s and women’s team events of the ITTF-Africa Championships 2025 officially served off — marking a decisive stage in Africa’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London.
The singles and doubles events have already crowned champions, but as of Thursday, national pride and collective strength have taken center stage.
Egypt Tightens Its Grip on African Table Tennis
Egypt remains the continent’s undisputed powerhouse after another dominant showing.
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Omar Assar lifted his fifth African men’s singles title, battling from two sets down to defeat compatriot Abdelaziz Youssef in a thrilling all-Egyptian final.
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Teenage prodigy Hana Goda claimed her third straight women’s singles crown, outclassing Dina Meshref in straight games to continue her golden run.
Both champions now turn their attention to the team events, where Egypt begins its campaign as firm favorites to defend both titles.
Kuti & Mati Clinch Bronze
Nigeria’s rising table tennis stars Matthew Kuti and Taiwo Mati have claimed the bronze medal in the men’s doubles event at the ongoing 2025 ITTF-Africa Championships in Tunis, marking another proud moment for Team Nigeria.
The young duo displayed exceptional teamwork and resilience throughout the tournament, battling their way through tough rounds before bowing out in the semifinals to the experienced Egyptian pair of Abdelaziz Youssef and Mohamed El-Beiali in a thrilling 3–2 encounter.
Despite the loss, Kuti and Mati’s run was a major highlight for Nigeria’s contingent. The pair overcame opponents from Ghana, Algeria, and Tunisia on their way to the semifinals, showcasing impressive composure, powerful rallies, and tactical shot selection that belied their youth.
Speaking after the match, Kuti expressed pride in their performance:
“We gave everything. It’s not the gold we hoped for, but we’re proud to bring home a medal for Nigeria. This motivates us to go even further next time.”
Mati echoed the sentiment, adding:
“We’ve grown with every match here in Tunis. Playing against Africa’s best helps us prepare for bigger global stages — including our sights on London 2026.”
The bronze marks a strong statement for the next generation of Nigerian table tennis players, reaffirming the country’s status as a continental powerhouse even as new stars rise to replace its veterans.
🏁 Road to London 2026: What’s Next
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout rounds, inching closer to booking their tickets to the 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London.
With Egypt setting the pace, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Algeria remain in contention to upset the order in the coming rounds.
For Team Nigeria, the road to London 2026 represents both a challenge and a chance for redemption. Rising youngsters Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai have impressed throughout the week, with Abdulfatai stunning Benin’s Farouk Salifou in a 4–0 sweep during the singles knockout rounds.
In the women’s camp, Ajoke Ajumo, Ojo Favour, and Aishat Rabiu guided Nigeria to a strong start in the group phase, defeating Benin 3–0 in Thursday’s morning session.
Men’s Team – Group 2
Nigeria
South Africa
Cameroun
Morocco
Women’s Team – Group 2
Nigeria
Madagascar
Benin.
What’s Next
With group play underway, all eyes are on which nations can maintain consistency and composure through the knockout rounds. The top two teams from each group will advance, edging closer to securing their ticket to London 2026.
As the drums echo in Rades Hall and paddles strike in unison, Africa’s finest are not just chasing medals — they’re chasing history.
