Nigeria has guaranteed itself the U-15 Boys’ Singles title at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Accra, Ghana, after Umar Ayoola booked his place in the final with a commanding straight-sets victory over compatriot Samson Joshua.
Sports247 reports that Ayoola delivered a clinical performance to defeat Joshua 3-0 in an all-Nigerian semi-final, confirming Nigeria’s dominance in the event and securing the country’s first singles finalist of the championship.
The pair had impressed throughout the tournament to set up the highly anticipated semi-final clash. Ayoola earned his place in the last four after producing a superb 3-1 victory over Egypt’s Ahmed Elsabbagh in the quarterfinals, while Joshua breezed past Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira with a convincing 3-0 win.
When the two Nigerians met in the semi-finals, Ayoola proved too strong, controlling the contest with aggressive shot-making and composure to complete a straight-sets victory and move within one win of the continental title.
Despite the defeat, Joshua’s run to the semi-finals ensures he finishes the tournament with a bronze medal, capping an impressive campaign that included a memorable victory over Egypt’s Eyad Hussein in the Round of 16 and a dominant quarter-final display.
In the other semi-final, Egypt’s Sameh Asser overcame Tunisia’s Amori Amne 3-1 to book his place in the championship match.
The final will now see Umar Ayoola take on Sameh Asser in a highly anticipated showdown, with the Nigerian aiming to crown his outstanding campaign by capturing the U-15 Boys’ Singles title for Team Nigeria.
After seven days of intense competition featuring Africa’s brightest young table tennis talents, the singles finals in both the U-15 and U-19 categories will be staged on Monday, July 27, at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, Ghana.
All eyes will be on Ayoola as he seeks to add another continental title to Nigeria’s impressive medal haul and reinforce the country’s status as one of Africa’s leading forces in youth table tennis.
