Nigeria’s sole representatives in the 2025 ITTF African Club Championships, the Canaan Queens of Calabar, have fought their way into the semifinals of the women’s event in Tunis, Tunisia.

Eight teams from Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Madagascar are competing in the Women’s event, with Egypt’s Zamalek aiming to defend their 2024 title.

In the Men’s category, nine teams from Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Madagascar, Congo DR, and Cote d’Ivoire are vying for honours, with Egypt’s ENPPI as the defending champions.

The Nigerian team, led by Fatimo Bello, Janet Effiom, Cecilia Otu-Akpan, and Hope Udoaka, has already defeated their Tunisian and Madagascan counterparts in Group 1 of the Women’s event. 

However, in their last group match, the Nigerian ladies fell 3-0 to defending champions Zamalek of Egypt, finishing second in the group and advancing to the semifinals.

The Calabar Queens will face Petrojet of Egypt in the first semifinal of the Women’s event on Monday, February 24, at the El-Menzah Sports Hall in Tunis.

Competition Manager Ghazi Ben Hsen noted the impressive turnout of teams for the Club Championships, with Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, and Congo DR participating for the first time. He added that the tournament serves as a good rehearsal for the Africa Cup, which kicks off on Tuesday, February 25.

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Defending champions, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Dina Meshref, are set to defend their titles at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis, Tunisia, from February 25 to 27.

In addition to the titles, players will compete for spots at the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, this April.

As the first tournament on the ITTF Africa calendar, the event promises to be explosive, with many of the continent’s top players heading to Tunisia next week. The semifinalists in both the men’s and women’s events will secure their places at the expanded ITTF World Cup.

The El-Menzah Sports Palace, a multi-purpose arena with a capacity of 5,500 spectators, will host the three-day, $25,000 prize money tournament.

Aruna will renew his long-time rivalry with Egypt’s Omar Assar. Aruna, the most decorated player in the tournament’s history, has won the title five times (2024, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2009). Assar has also claimed the title five times (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, and 2015), but Aruna has appeared in more finals.

Other notable players include Benin’s Abdel-Kabir Salifou, Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu, and Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, who will be looking to cause upsets.

On the women’s side, nine-time champion Dina Meshref will defend her crown against rising star and compatriot Hana Goda, the continent’s number-one ranked player, and 2024 runner-up Mariam Alhodaby.

Lotfi Guerfel, President of the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF), promises an exciting event with live-streaming of matches. “TTTF is well-prepared to host these significant events in Africa. Our team has accumulated extensive experience through previously hosted tournaments. We consistently seek feedback from all stakeholders to enhance the success of our future events. Our readiness to host the Africa Cup is rooted in meticulous planning and organization, starting with establishing various committees with clear roles and responsibilities and ensuring all logistics, especially high-quality equipment, are in place. We will ensure our technology team is ready to broadcast the event online for remote audiences and provide updates through our dedicated platform.”

Wahid Enitan Oshodi, President of ITTF Africa, added, “The level of table tennis in Africa has grown exponentially over the last few years. This tournament is not only a platform for established players but also an opportunity for young talents to make a name for themselves.”

The ITTF Africa Cup 2025 will feature a preliminary round on the opening day, followed by knockout stages on the final two days. The four semi-finalists in both categories will automatically qualify for the ITTF Singles World Cup Macao 2025, which will be held from April 14 to 20, 2025.

  Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Retired Nigerian table tennis legend Edem Offiong has joined the Texas-based Lonestar Table Tennis Academy in the United States as a coach.

The five-time Olympian, who announced her retirement after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has been described as a valuable addition to the academy located in Austin, Texas.

In a statement, the academy expressed their excitement: “We are thrilled to announce that five-time Olympian Edem Offiong is joining Lonestar Table Tennis Academy as a full-time practice partner.”

They welcomed the Nigerian star, noting that her two decades of experience will be invaluable to the academy.

An excited Edem shared her thoughts on Facebook, revealing her decision to move to the US after retirement to begin a new chapter as a coach.

“Austin, Texas is where I find my peace. I decided to move to the USA after my retirement to coach young enthusiasts. Coachinghas been so rewarding, I must say, and soon we will be known and heard for our good deeds. Thank you to Lonestar Table Tennis Academy for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to grow these young stars. It’s all about passion, and I’m grateful,” she said.

The former African champion represented Nigeria in five Olympic Games, several African Games and Championships, World Championships, and Commonwealth Championships before retiring in 2024.

  Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H