Battle-tested veterans and eager debutants from across the continent have converged on the coastal city of Tunis, Tunisia, for the 2025 ITTF-Africa Championships — one of Africa’s most prestigious table tennis tournaments and a key fixture on the international calendar.

The atmosphere in Tunis is electric as Africa’s finest paddlers prepare to compete for continental glory, world-ranking points, and qualification opportunities for upcoming global events. For some, it is a familiar battleground; for others, a dream debut on the big stage.

Among the excited newcomers is Congo Brazzaville’s Thomie Mossemba, who expressed pride and anticipation ahead of her first appearance.

“I’m here to learn from some of the best players in Africa, who are also among the best in the world,” she said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to represent my country, and I hope to gain valuable experience and win some matches.”

Angola’s Kailane De Sousa, participating in her third continental championship, said she hopes to build on her past performances and target medals this time.

“There’s no doubt this is a gathering of Africa’s elite, and many of them are world-class. I hope to return home with medals this year and hopefully be part of the team heading to London in 2026,” she remarked.

Cameroon’s Enjema Moussa was brimming with enthusiasm, describing the tournament as a dream come true.

“This is my first international tournament after our team won gold at the regional championships in Kinshasa. I’m thrilled to meet stars like Hana Goda, Omar Assar, and Dina Meshref — though I’m sad Quadri Aruna isn’t here. I’ll leave with a wealth of experience and aim to win some matches,” he said.

From Ghana, Ernest Quavcod reflected on the long journey that led him to the Tunis stage.

“It’s been a long road to make the national team, especially after competing at the last African Games. I’m honoured to be here and want to repay the faith placed in me,” he said.

Uganda’s Joshua Magaya shared a similar sense of gratitude and determination.

“I’m so thankful for this rare opportunity. I want to give my best and solidify my place in the national team,” he said.

For Nigeria, rising teenage star Favour Ojo is eager to make her mark.

“It’s a great honour to be part of this team. I hope we qualify for the World Championships in London 2026. Beyond that, I want to win matches and help my team reach the podium here in Tunis,” she said.

As competition intensifies in Tunis, the ITTF-Africa Championships continues to highlight the continent’s growing strength in world table tennis — blending youthful ambition with seasoned experience, all united by a shared passion for the sport.

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

The city of Tunis, Tunisia, is set to come alive from October 12 to 19 as the continent’s top table tennis talents gather for the 2025 ITTF-Africa Championships — a week-long festival of skill, passion, and continental pride.

Athletes from all corners of Africa — East, West, North, Central, and South — have converged on the Tunisian capital, each vying not only for continental glory but also for qualification spots at the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom.

Although Nigeria’s top-ranked star Quadri Aruna is a notable absentee, the competition still boasts a glittering field featuring Egypt’s Omar Assar, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa, Tunisia’s own Wassim Essid, Egypt’s teenage sensation Hana Goda, Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo, and France-based Beninese player Abdel-Kader Salifou.

The atmosphere in Tunis is charged with excitement, unity, and anticipation — a sentiment shared by both organizers and participants.

President of the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF), Samir Khelif, expressed pride in the nation’s role as host:

“We’re honoured to be chosen once again to host this championship and deeply appreciate the trust of ITTF Africa. As always, we aim to provide warm hospitality and a vibrant atmosphere for all our guests.”

Similarly, ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi lauded Tunisia’s swift and selfless decision to step in after Rwanda’s withdrawal.

“We’re immensely grateful to the people of Tunisia for their unwavering support,” Oshodi said. “Their readiness to host on short notice speaks volumes about their commitment to the sport. This championship is all about the players, and Tunisia has created the perfect environment for them to shine.”

With youthful enthusiasm and home pride driving them, Tunisia’s emerging stars are eager to test their mettle against Africa’s elite — determined to show that the future of African table tennis can thrive on Tunisian soil.

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

President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa), Wahid Enitan Oshodi, has expressed strong optimism ahead of this year’s ITTF-Africa Championships, saying the event will showcase some of the continent’s best talents in peak form.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, which runs from October 12 to 19 at the Rades Multisports Hall in Tunis, Oshodi praised the Tunisian Table Tennis Federation (FTTT) for stepping up to host after Rwanda’s late withdrawal, describing the North African nation as a reliable partner with a proven record of organizing world-class events.

“There’s no doubt this year’s tournament will be fiercely contested, especially given the current form of our players and the emergence of talented youth athletes,” Oshodi said.

He highlighted the growing strength of young African players, many of whom featured at the recent Youth Tournaments in Lagos, noting that several of them have now broken into their national senior teams for the continental showpiece.

“We’re particularly thrilled that many junior players who featured at the recent Youth Tournaments in Lagos have earned spots on their national teams for Tunis. This shows they’re maturing and ready to challenge the veterans,” he explained. “I expect upsets in Tunis and look forward to seeing some of these young stars rise to the top.”

The 2024 ITTF-Africa Championships also serve as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, an edition that will mark the centenary of the sport, returning to the city where both the International Table Tennis Federation and the first World Championships were founded in 1926.

Oshodi noted that while emerging stars are expected to light up the competition, the experience of established players will bring depth and drama to the tournament.

“We must also acknowledge the experience of our established players, which will make the tournament even more exciting,” he said. “The atmosphere in Tunis will rival any global event. Tunisia is a seasoned host with a strong track record, and we’re eager for the tournament to kick off on October 12.”

The team event, which doubles as a qualification pathway for London 2026, is expected to be one of the major highlights, with top-ranked African nations such as Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria among the favourites.

This year’s championship promises high-stakes action across seven categories: men’s team, women’s team, men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Over eight days of competition, Africa’s finest will battle for continental supremacy, ranking points, and a chance to represent the continent on the world stage.

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