The 2025 ITTF Africa Cup commenced today at the El-Menzah Sports Hall in Tunis, with all eyes on Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna as Africa’s top table tennis players vie for prestigious continental titles and coveted spots at the ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, this April. The three-day tournament, running through February 27, marks the final continental qualifier for the global event, intensifying the stakes for the 50 competitors.
Aruna, the defending men’s singles champion and a five-time winner of the tournament (2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2024), begins his title defense in Group 2 against Benin’s Salifou Abdel-Kader and Tunisia’s Sabhi Myshaal. The Nigerian star, renowned for his technical prowess and consistency, faces fierce competition as he aims for a record-extending sixth crown. Chief among his challengers is Egypt’s Omar Assar, also a five-time champion (2015, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), setting the stage for a renewal of their storied rivalry.
The tournament offers more than just bragging rights. Semifinalists in both the men’s and women’s singles categories—29 and 21 players, respectively—will secure four World Cup tickets each, making every match a high-stakes affair. Emerging talents like Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti, and Cameroon’s Batix Ylane are poised to challenge the established order, adding unpredictability to the draw.
On the women’s side, Egypt’s Dina Meshref, a nine-time champion, defends her title against a strong field, including compatriot Hana Goda, Africa’s top-ranked player, and 2024 runner-up Mariam Alhodaby. The competition promises thrilling action as new and veteran stars battle for supremacy.
Hosted at the 5,500-capacity El-Menzah Sports Palace, the event also introduces individual awards for the first time in its history, a move by ITTF-Africa to celebrate excellence and boost engagement with corporate partners. With a $25,000 prize pool on the line, the tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage today, followed by knockout rounds over the next two days.
As the continent’s premier table tennis event unfolds, Aruna remains the focal point, but the path to glory—and Macao—is wide open.
