Lagos agog as Africa’s rising stars battle for ITTF Youth supremacy

Lagos has become the epicentre of Africa’s table tennis future as the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships light up the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.

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The tournament, which has drawn some of the continent’s finest young talents, is now at a fever pitch, with semifinal tickets on the line in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories today, 2 August.

After a thrilling display in the team events that saw Nigeria, Egypt, and Uganda claim gold across the four categories, attention now turns to individual glory and national pride in the business end of the competition.

All eyes on Boys’ U-19 Division showdown

The Boys’ U-19 singles event is shaping up into a classic. Defending champion Wassim Essid of Tunisia will need to dig deep to survive the round of 16, with a potential high-stakes rematch against Nigeria’s Abdulbasit Abdulfatai looming.

Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti, buoyed by strong home support, is also one to watch as the hosts look to reclaim dominance in front of a partisan Lagos crowd.

Egypt target Girls’ U-19 Crown

In the Girls’ U-19 division, Egypt’s Mariam Younes looks unbothered heading into the final stretch. With her compatriots being her most likely challengers, the Pharaohs are once again flexing their strength in African women’s table tennis.

Uganda’s young guns in U-15 title hunt

Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira has been the breakout star of the Boys’ U-15 category. But his dream of lifting a first continental singles title faces roadblocks from the usual heavyweights; Egypt, Nigeria, and Tunisia.

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On the girls’ side, Patience Anyango is riding the momentum from Uganda’s stunning U-15 team title triumph. But she’ll need to overcome elite opponents from Egypt and Tunisia to complete a golden sweep.

Doubles & Mixed Doubles: Wide open race

The doubles and mixed doubles events are delicately poised. Nigeria, Egypt, and Tunisia have emerged as front-runners across categories, while Uganda’s Sebatindira and Anyango continue to fly the flag in the U-15 bracket.

READ ALSO: AfroBasket 2025: Nigeria’s D’Tigress set for fierce semifinal battle against Senegal

Medals Update: Nigeria in Command

So far, Nigeria leads the gold medal count, claiming two of the four team titles on home soil. Egypt clinched the Girls’ U-19 team gold, while Uganda stunned the field to take the Girls’ U-15 title; a major boost for the East Africans in a traditionally North and West African-dominated sport.

With semifinal places at stake and bragging rights on the line, Today’s showdowns in Lagos promise fireworks. The race to crown Africa’s next generation of table tennis greats is well and truly alive.