Egypt and Algeria dominated the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Lagos, winning eight of 10 gold medals as Nigeria struggled, securing only one title through Kuti and Abdulfatai in the U-19 boys’ doubles.
Nigeria managed just one gold medal as Egypt and Algeria dominated the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships, which concluded on Sunday, August 3, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
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The host nation’s lone triumph came in the U-19 boys’ doubles final, where Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai defeated Tunisia’s Wassim Essid and Mohamed Khaloufi 3-1.
Egypt emerged as the most successful nation, clinching five of the 10 gold medals on offer. Mariam Younes successfully defended her U-19 girls’ singles title, defeating compatriot Habiba Elbasoumy 4-1 in her final youth tournament.
In the boys’ singles, left-handed Badr Mostafa ended Tunisia’s dominance by dethroning defending champion Wassim Essid with a commanding 4-1 victory. Mostafa celebrated his win dramatically, leaping onto the table after sealing match point.
Algeria secured three gold medals, highlighted by Tania Morice’s impressive performance. Tania and her sister Jade clinched the U-15 girls’ doubles title with a 3-0 victory over Egypt’s Farida Thabet and Hanin Elewa. Tania later defeated Jade 3-0 in the U-15 girls’ singles final to complete a personal double.
Bilel Zouitene added another gold for Algeria, narrowly overcoming Egypt’s Asser Sameh 3-2 in the U-15 boys’ singles, avenging his earlier doubles loss.
Tunisia’s Amir Essid and Ela Saidi delivered their nation’s only gold by winning the U-15 mixed doubles, defeating Nigeria’s Tobi Adebakin and Aishat Rabiu 3-1.
Nigeria’s only podium-topping performance came from Kuti and Abdulfatai in the U-19 boys’ doubles event.
Egypt’s Asser Sameh and Mohammed Abdelhalim won the U-15 boys’ doubles, beating Algeria’s Goudjil and Zouitene 3-1. Malak Abdelshakour and Nour Zaki captured the U-19 girls’ doubles title with a 3-0 win over Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala and Judith Nangonzi.
In mixed doubles, Egypt’s Mostafa and Younes combined to defeat teammates Yassin Gaber and Nour Zaki 3-0, wrapping up a dominant showing for the North African nation.
