Nigeria’s boys’ U-19 table tennis team has secured a spot at the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania after a thrilling victory at the African Youth Championships in Lagos.
Persecondnews reports that the team staged a remarkable comeback from a 0-2 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the semifinals, before edging defending champions Tunisia by the same scoreline in the final.
In the final match, Tunisia’s Wassim Essid claimed two hard-fought victories over Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai.
However, Nigeria held their nerve, with Abdulfatai delivering a commanding 3-0 win over Mohamed Khaloufi to seal the title.
This marks Nigeria’s return to continental glory after missing out in 2024 with Egypt and Algeria settling for bronze medals.
In the girls’ U-19 category, Egypt dominated the final with a convincing 3-0 win over Nigeria, claiming their fourth consecutive title and the sole African ticket to the World Youth Championships.
Team captain Mariam Younes led the charge with a 3-0 victory over Aishat Rabiu, followed by Habiba Elbasoumy’s equally dominant 3-0 win against Favour Ojo.
Madagascar and South Africa took home bronze medals.
Meanwhile, Uganda made history in the girls’ U-15 event, capturing their first-ever African Youth Championships team gold.
The Ugandans came from behind to defeat Tunisia 3-2 in a fiercely contested final, with Patience Anyango emerging as the hero.
Anyango’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia’s Mariam Brahimi in the deciding match secured Uganda’s first-ever team title at the African Youth Championships.
Egypt and Algeria both earned bronze medals in the same category.
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