Who will claim Africa Cup glory and a World Cup ticket?
The 2026 ITTF Africa Cup kicked off Friday in Benghazi, Libya, featuring 45 players from 14 countries battling for continental honours and a spot in the 2026 ITTF World Cup (March 30–April 5).
Egypt’s six-time champion Omar Assar faces stiff competition from Nigeria’s five-time winner Quadri Aruna, as the two renew one of Africa’s fiercest table tennis rivalries. Assar eyes a historic seventh title, while Aruna aims to match his record.
Other male contenders include Egypt’s Youssef Abdelaziz, Mostapha Badr, Cameroon’s Ylane Batix, Benin’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa, Tunisia’s teen prodigy Wassim Essid, and Libya’s Habeb Alajaebi, buoyed by home support.
On the women’s side, Egypt’s Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, and Mariam Alhodaby headline the field, with new challengers like Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, Tunisia’s Ela Saidi, and Algeria’s Jade Marice bringing fresh talent to the court.
Organisers promise high drama, intense rivalries, and a celebration of African table tennis as champions and rising stars collide in Libya’s historic first international TT event.
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