Africa’s top table tennis players, led by Aruna Quadri, have officially booked their places at the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao after delivering dominant performances at the ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis. The continent’s finest, including Omar Assar, Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, Mariam Alhodaby, Fatimo Bello, and Abdel-Kader Salifou, showcased their brilliance to seal World Cup qualification.
The ITTF Africa Cup, one of the most prestigious table tennis tournaments on the continent, serves as a pathway for African stars to compete on the global stage. With their semifinal qualification, these players have ensured Africa’s strong representation in Macao, China, where they will compete against the world’s best.
Hana Goda and Fatimo Bello Dominate Women’s Quarterfinals
Egyptian teenage sensation Hana Goda was the first to secure her place in the World Cup. The 16-year-old displayed exceptional skill and composure to defeat Tunisia’s Maram Zoghlami 4-1 in the quarterfinals. Goda, who has been tipped as one of Africa’s brightest prospects, wasted no time in stamping her authority on the match, controlling the pace with precise shots and relentless attacking play.
Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello followed in similar fashion, overcoming Tunisia’s Ela Saidi in another 4-1 victory. Bello, who has consistently been among Nigeria’s top female players, delivered a strong performance to book her ticket to Macao.
Omar Assar Survives Tough Quarterfinal Challenge
Five-time Africa Cup champion Omar Assar faced one of the toughest battles of the quarterfinals. The Egyptian was pushed to the limit by Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa but managed to grind out a 4-2 victory. Assar’s experience proved decisive as he navigated crucial moments in the match, securing yet another World Cup qualification to add to his impressive resume.
Salifou and Alhodaby Make History
In a historic moment for Benin Republic, Abdel-Kader Salifou earned his first-ever ITTF World Cup ticket after a 4-1 triumph over Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali. Salifou’s victory was particularly significant as it marked a breakthrough for Beninese table tennis, proving that emerging nations are making strides in African table tennis.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s Mariam Alhodaby continued her country’s dominance by securing her World Cup place with a convincing 4-0 win over Algeria’s Lynda Logrhaibi. Her victory further underlined Egypt’s strength in the sport, with multiple players qualifying for the global tournament.
Dina Meshref Extends Record, Aruna Quadri Cruises to Qualification
Egypt’s Dina Meshref, a nine-time Africa Cup champion, delivered yet another commanding performance to defeat Nigeria’s Aminat Fashola and book her return to the ITTF World Cup. Meshref, one of the most decorated African female players, has consistently represented the continent on the world stage and will once again be a key figure in Macao
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On the men’s side, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri, one of Africa’s most recognized table tennis players, showcased his dominance with a 4-0 demolition of Cote d’Ivoire’s Oba Oba Kizito. The Nigerian superstar barely broke a sweat in his quarterfinal match, reaffirming his position as Africa’s leading table tennis player.
Cameroon’s Ylane Batix Also Joins the Elite
Cameroon’s Ylane Batix secured his first-ever ITTF World Cup qualification after defeating Madagascar’s Antoine Razafinarivo 4-2. The match was a tightly contested battle, but Batix’s resilience and tactical awareness saw him emerge victorious, marking a significant milestone for Cameroon’s table tennis scene.
Exciting Semifinal Clashes Await in Tunis
With Africa’s top table tennis stars already securing their World Cup spots, the focus now shifts to the ITTF Africa Cup semifinals, where the continent’s best will battle for the championship title. The semifinals promise high-intensity clashes featuring some of the biggest names in African table tennis.
Men’s Singles Semifinals:
🔥 Aruna Quadri (Nigeria) vs. Ylane Batix (Cameroon)
🔥 Omar Assar (Egypt) vs. Abdel-Kader Salifou (Benin Republic)
Women’s Singles Semifinals:
🔥 Hana Goda (Egypt) vs. Fatimo Bello (Nigeria)
🔥 Dina Meshref (Egypt) vs. Mariam Alhodaby (Egypt)
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The stage is set for an epic battle in Tunis as these stars fight for the ITTF Africa Cup crown. Can Aruna Quadri and Dina Meshref extend their dominance, or will we witness new champions emerging?
Stay tuned for more updates as the ITTF Africa Cup reaches its climax!
