The 2025 ITTF Africa Cup is off to an exciting start, with some standout performances on the opening day. Five-time men’s singles champion Quadri Aruna showcased his trademark dominance, securing effortless 3-0 victories over Tunisia’s Myshaal Sabhi and Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, advancing to the knockout stage. Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo also joined him in the knockout rounds, further solidifying Nigeria’s strong presence in the tournament.
In an unexpected twist, Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu made waves by defeating local favorite Wassim Essid of Tunisia 3-1, to the surprise of the home crowd. Meanwhile, Egypt’s third seed Mohamed El-Beiali faced a shocking 3-0 loss to Madagascar’s Antonie Razafinarivo, and Ethiopia’s Darara Mokonen Dufera, the only top seed to exit early, was eliminated after two defeats.
In the women’s category, defending champion Dina Meshref of Egypt advanced to the second round, alongside her compatriots Omar Assar and Hana Goda.
The tournament holds extra significance as the semi-finalists in both the men’s and women’s categories will qualify for the prestigious ITTF World Cup in China. This added pressure makes each match even more crucial as the players battle it out for spots on the global stage.
The event is being held in Tunisia, which has been praised for its excellent organization by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). During the opening ceremony on February 25, ITTF president Petra Sorling commended Tunisia’s ability to host top-tier events in Africa, calling it one of the best-organized tournaments globally.
The president of the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation, Lotfi Guerfel, expressed his gratitude for hosting the competition, while ITTF Africa president Wahid Oshodi praised the TTTF’s commitment to excellence and their role in promoting the sport across the continent.
With over 50 players from 16 African nations, the three-day event is a showcase of Africa’s best talent and a crucial step toward qualifying for the ITTF World Cup. The stakes are high as the competition progresses and all eyes are on the semi-finalists who will earn their tickets to the global tournament.
