Nigeria dominates ITTF West Africa Regional Championships

Nigeria dominates ITTF West Africa Regional Championships

Hassan Abdulsalam 14:34 - 29.04.2024

The tournament which lasted for three days, saw participation from over 32 men and 29 women representing countries including Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and host nation Togo.

African Games medalists, Matthew Kuti and Hope Udoaka have showcased their prowess at the 2024 ITTF West Africa Regional Championships in Lome, Togo, emerging as the new champions of the West African region.

The tournament which lasted for three days, saw participation from over 32 men and 29 women representing countries including Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and host nation Togo.

Despite a setback in the team event, where Togo claimed victory over Nigeria, Kuti delivered a flawless performance in the singles event. He defeated seasoned players, including former regional champion Oba Oba Kizito of Ivory Coast, in the final match.

Starting his journey in the group stage with a strong performance, Kuti progressed to the knockout rounds, overcoming challenges along the way. Notably, he avenged his earlier loss in the team event by defeating Togo’s Mawussi Agbetoglo in the semi-finals before clinching the title by triumphing over Kizito in the final.

Meanwhile, Udoaka dominated the women's singles event, securing victory over her compatriot Ajoke Ojomu in a commanding 4-0 win.

In the team event, the Nigerian women, led by Udoaka, showcased their dominance by securing the title without dropping a single game, culminating in a 3-0 victory over Ghana in the final.

Although Nigeria's men's team faced a setback with a loss to the host nation Togo. The Nigerian contingent displayed resilience and skill throughout the tournament, ultimately maintaining their status as a formidable force in West African table tennis.

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