Nigeria deny Egypt sweep at ITTF Africa Youth Champs

Nigeria denied Egypt a clean sweep of the team events at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships. Quadri Atunwon inspired a heroic comeback in the boys’ U-19 category, securing gold for Nigeria with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the final.

The defending champions trailed 2-0 before rallying to prevent the North Africans from winning all four team titles. Sultan Agunbiade sparked the comeback, reducing the deficit. Matthew Kuti then leveled the tie after a closely contested match.

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The defending champions looked destined to surrender their title after falling 2-0 behind against Egypt in the final, but rallied brilliantly to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory and prevent the North Africans from winning all four team titles.

Atunwon faced Yassin Gaber in a thrilling winner-takes-all encounter. Despite trailing 8-2 in the deciding fifth game and facing two match points at 10-8, Atunwon showed remarkable composure. He saved both match points and edged the gripping finish 16-14 to seal Nigeria’s boys’ U-19 crown.

Despite this setback, Egypt dominated the team competitions, claiming the remaining three titles. Nigeria’s boys’ U-15 team lost 3-0 to Egypt in the final, while Egypt also reclaimed the girls’ U-15 and defended their girls’ U-19 titles. Nigeria's U-19 boys' triumph prevented a complete Egyptian sweep of the championships.

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The Nigerian raced into an 8-2 lead in the deciding fifth game but watched Gaber produce a remarkable fightback to draw level at 8-8 before earning two championship points at 10-8. However, Atunwon showed remarkable composure under pressure, saving both match points before edging a gripping finish 16-14 to seal victory and retain Nigeria’s boys’ U-19 crown.