Nigerian duo Abdulfatai Abdulbasit and Mathew Kuti have clinched gold in the Under-19 boys’ doubles final at the ITTF 2025 Africa Youth Championship, marking a significant milestone for Nigerian table tennis.
The eight-day tournament, which is currently ongoing at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall in Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, has attracted the continent’s top young talents in the sport.
Abdulbasit and Kuti defeated Tunisia’s Essid Wassim and Khaloufi Mohamed in an electrifying 3-1 victory (12-10, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10), showcasing remarkable synergy, precision, and tactical superiority throughout the match.
Despite a resilient effort from the Tunisian pair, the Nigerians proved too strong with their relentless play and excellent coordination.
A Moment of National Pride
The win not only secured gold for Nigeria but also earned the duo a spot at the 2025 World Youth Championships in Romania, solidifying the country’s position among the top table tennis nations in Africa.
“This victory reflects our months of hard work, focus, and discipline,” Kuti told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) following the match.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our coaches, families, and supporters who stood by us. Winning gold for Nigeria is a dream come true. It will definitely inspire more young players across the country.”
Continental Success
Nigeria has had a strong showing at the championship so far, with Abdulbasit and Kuti’s gold adding to the nation’s growing medal tally. The event serves as a major platform for emerging African table tennis stars to showcase their potential.
In the girls’ doubles final, Egypt’s Abdelshakour Malak and Zaki Nour outclassed Uganda’s Nakawala Jemimah and Nangonzi Judith with a straight-sets victory of 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-8).
As the championship continues in Lagos, all eyes remain on Team Nigeria, whose performances have reaffirmed the country’s dominance in African youth table tennis.
