The medal momentum continued on Saturday as Egypt and Nigeria powered into the final stages of the 2025 ITTF African Youth Championships in Lagos, www.aclsports.com reports.
While both nations reinforced their dominance, Tunisia, Algeria, and Uganda stayed firmly in the chase.
In the U15 boys’ singles, Nigeria’s Tobi Adebakin was stopped by Egypt’s Sameh Asser in four sets (7–11, 11–9, 11–4, 11–6), while Mustapha Musa held his nerve in a five-set thriller to edge Tunisia’s Amir Essid (3–2). Algeria’s Bilel Zouitene brushed aside Tunisia’s Bara Mechergui in straight sets (3–0), and Uganda’s Sharif Nsereko pulled off a statement win over Egypt’s Mohamed Abdelhalim (3–1).
In the U15 girls’ singles, Tunisia’s Ela Saidi edged Egypt’s Hanin Elewa 3–2 in a seesaw battle, while Algeria’s Tania Morice and Jade Morice both secured semifinal slots with confident victories. Uganda’s Patience Anyango lost a tight five-setter to Tunisia’s Mariam Brahimi (2–3).
There was no stopping Egypt in the U19 women’s singles, as all four semifinal spots were secured by their players. Habiba Elbasoumy and Yara Elbadawy dismantled Nigeria’s Kabirat Ayoola and Chinenye Okafor in straight sets, while Mariam Younes and Nour Zaki defeated Favour Ojo and Rochica Sonday, respectively.
In the men’s bracket, Nigeria reasserted dominance. Abdulbasit Abdulfatai and Kuti Matthew powered into the semifinals with strong wins, Kuti’s 4–0 demolition of Egypt’s Seifeldin Kassem was especially emphatic.
In the junior boys’ doubles, Nigeria’s duos of Abdulbasit Abdulfatai/Kuti Matthew and Sultan Agunbiade/Quadri Atunwon stormed into the semifinals, while Fabunmi Mathew/Mustapha Mustapha fell to Egypt’s pair of Badr Mostafa and Yassin Gaber.
In the girls’ doubles, Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala and Judith Nangonzi silenced the home crowd with a 3–1 win over Nigeria’s Favour Ojo and Kadijat Okanlawon. Egypt and Algeria advanced comfortably with straight-set victories in their respective ties.
Nigeria’s challenge in the U19 mixed doubles ended as Abdulbasit Abdulfatai and Favour Ojo were beaten 3–0 by Egypt’s Badr Mostafa and Mariam Younes. Egypt’s other pair, Yassin Gaber and Nour Zaki, narrowly defeated compatriots Mohamed Abdellatif and Yara Elbadawy 3–2 in a thrilling all-Egyptian clash.
With Day 7 in the books, the medals are now within reach. Egypt and Nigeria remain the front-runners in the team tally, but the push from Tunisia, Algeria, and Uganda has added spice to the closing stretch.
Sunday’s finals promise fireworks as the best young players on the continent vie for gold and glory in Lagos.
