The 2023 African Youth Championships, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall in Lagos, Nigeria, concluded with several thrilling team events, crowning new continental champions and securing qualification spots for the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania. The Nigerian boys’ U-19 team orchestrated a remarkable comeback, rallying from a 0-2 deficit against Egypt in the semifinals to secure a 3-2 victory and a place in the final. Their final match against Tunisia followed a similar dramatic arc, culminating in a 3-2 win for Nigeria, despite Tunisian player Wassim Essid’s victories over both Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai. Abdulfatai’s decisive 3-0 victory against Mohamed Khaloufi in the final match sealed Nigeria’s championship and their return to the continental peak after missing the 2024 edition. Egypt and Algeria shared the bronze medal in the boys’ U-19 category.
In the girls’ U-19 category, Egypt asserted its dominance, capturing its fourth consecutive African Youth Championship title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nigeria. This victory earned Egypt the sole African qualification spot for the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships in the girls’ U-19 category. Egyptian players Mariam Younes and Habiba Elbasoumy delivered straight-set victories against Aishat Rabiu and Favour Ojo respectively, establishing a strong lead. While Kabirat Ayoola managed to win a set against Nour Zaki, Zaki ultimately prevailed 3-1, completing the sweep for Egypt. Madagascar and South Africa claimed the bronze medals in this category.
The U-15 girls’ final witnessed a historic moment as Uganda clinched its first-ever African Youth Championships team gold medal. In a hard-fought contest against Tunisia, Uganda mounted a comeback to win 3-2. Patience Anyango emerged as the hero for Uganda, securing the winning point with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mariam Brahimi. Egypt and Algeria shared the bronze medal in the U-15 girls’ category.
The championships showcased the burgeoning table tennis talent across the African continent, with Nigeria’s boys’ U-19 team demonstrating resilience and determination in their path to victory. Egypt’s continued dominance in the girls’ U-19 category solidified their status as a continental powerhouse, while Uganda’s historic win in the U-15 girls’ category marked a significant milestone for the nation’s table tennis program. These results underline the growing competitiveness and development of table tennis within Africa, setting the stage for exciting future competitions.
The Nigerian boys will now set their sights on the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania, aiming to build on their continental success and make their mark on the global stage. Similarly, the Egyptian girls’ team will carry the hopes of Africa as they seek to translate their regional dominance into international success. Uganda’s U-15 girls, having broken through with their first continental title, will undoubtedly be motivated to continue their progress and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
The African Youth Championships serve as a crucial platform for young table tennis players across the continent to gain valuable experience, compete against high-level opponents, and showcase their skills. The championships not only determine continental supremacy but also act as a springboard for international competition, offering the opportunity for qualified teams to test themselves against the world’s best. The impressive performances displayed at this year’s event in Lagos highlight the bright future of African table tennis and underscore the continued development of the sport across the region.
