Lagos, Nigeria: Youthful brilliance stole the spotlight at the ongoing ITTF-Africa Championships, as teenage debutants delivered stunning upsets against seasoned veterans in the singles events.
Veterans such as Monday Olabiyi and Farouk Salifou of the Benin Republic, Amgad Mahrous of Sudan, and Simon Ebode of Cameroon, have all exited the Men’s Singles competition.
Olabiyi was swept aside 4-0 by Tunisian teenager Youssef Aidli. Mahrous fell by the same scoreline to Uganda’s Jonathan Senyonga, while Salifou lost 4-0 to Nigeria’s Abdulbasit Abdulfatai.
A similar storyline unfolded in the Women’s Singles, where youthful energy once again eclipsed veteran experience at the continental showpiece.
Nigeria’s Aishat Rabiu ousted Ghana’s Bernice Borquaye, while Algeria’s Houda Taguercifi sent experienced Angolan star Ruth Tavares packing in straight sets.
Fourteen-year-old Tunisian prodigy Ela Saidi stunned Rwanda’s Ruth Mihindu, while Algerian twins Tania and Jade Morice, both 15, made dazzling debuts with 4-0 wins.
Top contenders such as Egypt’s Omar Assar, Youssef Abdelaziz, Mohamed El-Beili, and rising star Mostafa Badr also maintained strong performances in the Men’s Singles.
Established names like Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa, Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, and Tunisia’s Wassim Essid all cruised into the third round.
As the tournament enters a decisive phase on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the singles contests will intensify, separating the contenders from the pretenders in the race for glory.
Meanwhile, Cameroon’s Ylane Batix hopes to progress beyond the round of 32 in the Men’s Singles event in Tunis.
The 19-year-old signalled his rising form earlier this year when he reached the semifinals of the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup.
Batix believes the time has come to establish himself among Africa’s elite table tennis players despite limited preparation time.
Having resumed training just a week ago following a wrist injury, he remains confident in his ability to reach the semifinals in the Tunis event.
“Since my first appearance, I’ve never gone past the second round. I’ve also been unlucky with the draw, facing top seeds early.
“In 2021, I faced Quadri Aruna in the first round in Yaoundé. In 2023 and 2024, I lost in the round of 32 to Bode Abiodun in Ethiopia.
“This year, I’m fully prepared to break into the top four here in Tunis. It’s tough, but I’m ready to fight for it,” he said.
Batix has competed in several top-tier tournaments this year, including the Europe Smash in Sweden, and believes the experience will serve him well in Tunis.
