Nigeria has secured qualification for the 2025 ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania after clinching victory in the boys’ U-19 team event at the ongoing African Youth Championships in Lagos.
Competing at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, the Nigerian team staged a remarkable comeback from a 0-2 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the semifinals, before overcoming Tunisia with the same scoreline in a thrilling final on Tuesday.
Despite Tunisia’s Wassim Essid winning his matches against Matthew Kuti and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Nigeria clinched the title after Abdulfatai defeated Mohamed Khaloufi 3-0 in the decisive game, marking Nigeria’s return to the continental summit after missing out in 2024. Egypt and Algeria settled for bronze medals in the event.
However, in the girls’ U-19 final, Nigeria lost 3-0 to Egypt, who secured their fourth consecutive title and the only African ticket to the World Youth Championships in that category.
Leave feedback about this