ITTF Africa Youth Championship: Team Nigeria secures commendable finish in Morocco
Team Nigeria recorded an impressive scoresheet at the 2023 ITTF Africa Youth Championship in Agadir, Morocco, with its all-male team claiming five medals at the end of the competition.
After a slow start from the West African giants, they came alive in the closing days of the competition to deliver a good reminder of their quality in the African continent.
Starting with the U-19 boys teams event, Team Nigeria lost in the semifinals to arch-rivals Egypt before claiming bronze following a 3-0 win over Team Tunisia. The same was the case in the U-15 category as the Egyptian team sent Team Nigeria out in the semifinals, and the Nigerians defeated Team Algeria 3-0 to win a second bronze medal.
The Nigerian U-19 team failed to defend the doubles title they won last year, picking up a bronze medal in the event.
The singles brought a lot more excitement from Team Nigeria despite the absence of Team captain Taiwo Mati, who has moved onto the seniors after claiming gold in the U-19 category last year.
First, Fabunmi Matthew made it to the final of the U-15 boys singles category before losing 4-0 to Tunisian starlet Wassim Essid. The young boy claimed a silver medal for his efforts.
In the U-19 category, Mati must have been proud to see two Nigerians Adegoke Muizz and Kuti Matthew qualify for the final. Adegoke overcame Matthew in the final to win gold, while Matthew claimed a silver medal from the event to wrap up Team Nigeria’s haul at the competition.
