African Stars Set for 2025 ITTF World Cup Challenge in Macao

The 2025 ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup officially gets underway on April 14 at the Galaxy Arena in Macao, China, with eight African athletes set to represent the continent following their qualification through the ITTF Africa Cup earlier this year.

Held in Tunis, Tunisia, from February 25 to 27, the Africa Cup served as the continental qualifying event for the World Cup, with the top four finishers in both the men’s and women’s singles earning automatic tickets to Macao.

Men’s Singles: Assar Leads the Charge

Leading the male contingent is Egypt’s Omar Assar, who secured his record seventh Africa Cup title in a hard-fought 4-3 final against Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna. Assar’s consistency and experience continue to place him at the forefront of African table tennis.

Aruna, one of the continent’s most decorated players, qualified after a commanding 4-0 quarterfinal win over Côte d’Ivoire’s Oba Oba Kizito. The Nigerian remains a familiar face at the global event, having made history in 2014 as the first African to reach the World Cup quarterfinals.

Benin’s Abdel-Kader Salifou will make his World Cup debut after eliminating Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali 4-1 in the quarterfinals—a result hailed as one of the tournament’s standout performances.

Completing the men’s roster is Ylane Batix of Cameroon, who overcame Madagascar’s Antoine Razafinarivo 4-2 to book his place in Macao.

Women’s Singles: Egyptian Trio Dominates

The Egyptian women once again demonstrated their dominance on the African stage, with Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, and Mariam Alhodaby all qualifying for the World Cup.

Seventeen-year-old Goda captured the Africa Cup crown after defeating Meshref 4-2 in the final, continuing her rise as one of the continent’s brightest young stars. Meshref, a nine-time Africa Cup champion, also ensured her qualification with a comprehensive victory over Nigeria’s Aminat Fashola.

Alhodaby sealed her spot by sweeping Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi 4-0 in the quarterfinals, adding to Egypt’s commanding presence in the women’s bracket.

Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello rounds out the women’s qualifiers after reaching the semifinals, solidifying her status as one of the top female paddlers in West Africa.

Africa’s Growing Presence on the World Stage

The qualification of players from Egypt, Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroon reflects the increasing depth and competitiveness of African table tennis. With established stars like Assar and Aruna joined by emerging talents such as Goda and Salifou, the continent’s representation in Macao is both historic and promising.

The ITTF World Cup offers a global stage for Africa’s finest to test their skills against the sport’s elite, with the hope of further raising the continent’s profile in international competitions.

Looking Ahead

The tournament continues through April 20, with African players aiming to advance further and make a significant impact on the global stage. Their performances not only reflect individual prowess but also signify the growing prominence of African table tennis in international competitions.

For detailed schedules, results, and standings, visit the official ITTF website at ittf.com.

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