As the 2024 ITTF Africa Championships enter the medal zone in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigeria’s table tennis giants are poised for a decisive battle for continental dominance.
The stage is set for Nigeria, Algeria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia to clash in the semifinals, with the absence of the reigning men’s champion intensifying the competition.
The Nigerian men’s team, led by Quadri Aruna and seeded second, has demonstrated its prowess, sweeping Togo 3-0 in a dominant quarterfinal performance.
They will now face the hosts, Ethiopia, in a highly anticipated semifinal on Monday, October 14. Ethiopia’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Benin Republic, their first entry into the medal zone in 24 years, has electrified local supporters, who will be rallying behind their underdog team as they face the Nigerian heavyweights.
On the other side of the men’s draw, Tunisia staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Uganda 3-2, thanks to the heroics of Myshaal Sabhi, who turned the tide after being down 2-1.
“We made a lot of mistakes, but after Wassim Essid brought us back into the game, I was confident. Even when I was down 2-1, I knew I could turn it around,” Sabhi remarked after sealing Tunisia’s spot in the semifinals, where they will face regional rivals Algeria, who dispatched Madagascar 3-1.
In the women’s competition, Nigeria remains firmly in contention for gold after cruising past Madagascar 3-0. Led by seasoned stars, the Nigerian women’s team will face Algeria in the semifinals, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
Algeria breezed past Ghana with a similar 3-0 scoreline, but they will have to contend with Nigeria’s formidable form if they are to progress.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Egypt continues to dominate, breezing past Benin Republic 3-0 to secure a semifinal berth. They will face the surprise team of the tournament, Uganda, who pulled off a major upset by beating South Africa 3-2 in the quarterfinals.
The Ugandan girls, entering their first-ever medal zone at the Africa Championships, are eager to keep their Cinderella story alive, though Egypt remains the heavy favourite.
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