Nigeria targets final spots at Africa Youth Table Tennis Championship

Nigeria's table tennis teams are vying for championship finals at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Accra, Ghana. The U-15 girls, U-19 boys, and U-19 girls squads are all in contention for top honors after strong performances.

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I have very high expectations and I think it’s going to be really challenging; this won’t be like the African Championships. I hope to reach the last 16 again, as I did in the Junior African Championships. More importantly, fencing against some of the world’s top athletes is a great opportunity. I’ve trained every day since returning from school, working with my coach on new techniques, and I’m eager to put them into practice.

The U-15 girls' team faces a tough semi-final against top seeds Egypt, while defending champions Algeria will play Tunisia in the other last-four match. The U-19 boys secured their semi-final berth with a decisive 3-0 victory over host nation Ghana. Quadri Atunwon delivered a standout performance, overcoming a two-game deficit to defeat Ghana's Israel Aklie 3-2, energizing the Nigerian team.

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It’s a wonderful opportunity to represent Nigeria. I look forward to engaging with diverse fencers from around the world, gaining experience, and testing the skills I’ve honed over the years. My goal is to qualify from the pools, reach the direct elimination rounds, and, of course, win a medal.

In the U-19 girls' category, Nigeria is set to compete against Algeria for a spot in the final. Defending champions Egypt will face Uganda in their semi-final. With several nations already eliminated, these upcoming matches are anticipated to be highly competitive as Africa's top youth table tennis nations battle for supremacy.

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We’re very ready, and we still have time to prepare further. The Commonwealth Championships are no small event, but our team is stronger now, more united than before. With the chemistry we’ve built and the exposure to world-class tournaments, I believe we can bring home medals.