Defending champions Quadri Aruna and Dina Meshref, alongside top seeds Omar Assar and Hana Goda, delivered commanding performances to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis.
Aruna showcased his dominance with back-to-back 3-0 victories over Tunisia’s Myshaal Sabhi and Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, while Meshref eased through her matches to maintain her reign as Africa’s top female player.
While Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo secured a knockout round spot, Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu caused an upset, defeating Tunisian favourite Wassim Essid 3-1.
Another major shock came as Egypt’s third seed Mohamed El-Beiali fell to Madagascar’s Antonie Razafinarivo in a stunning 3-0 defeat. Ethiopia’s Darara Mokonen Dufera became the only top seed eliminated in the first round after suffering two losses.
With the knockout stage in full swing, all eyes are on the semi-final clashes on Wednesday, February 26th, as players fight for ITTF World Cup qualification. Semi-finalists in the men’s and women’s categories will secure their spots at the global event in China.
The ITTF praised Tunisia for its exceptional organization of the tournament. ITTF President Petra Sorling commended the host nation for delivering a world-class event, Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF) President Lotfi Guerfel expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host Africa’s biggest table tennis competition.
Wahid Enitan Oshodi, President of ITTF Africa, also lauded the TTTF for setting high standards in event organization.
“We are especially privileged to collaborate with the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF), whose active participation in ITTF Africa’s initiatives sets a high standard for hosting and promoting the sport.
“Their commitment to sharing their rich culture and warmly welcoming athletes, officials, and fans from across Africa adds a special significance to this tournament.”
The three-day tournament features over 50 players from 15 African nations, all vying for a prestigious ticket to the ITTF World Cup.
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
English (US) ·