Nigeria’s deputy captain, Matthew Kuti, is one victory away from reaching the men’s singles knockout stage at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games after securing a 3-1 win over Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Kuti revived his qualification hopes at the Dakar Expo Centre in Senegal after recovering from a straight-sets defeat against Hong Kong’s Li Ki Ho in his opening Group C match. He lost 4-11, 4-11, 3-11 to Li but responded with an 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7 victory over Aidli.
The 2026 African Youth Cup champion will face Italy’s Francesco Travesan on Monday, November 2, in a decisive encounter that could secure his place in the next round. The top two players in Group C will advance to the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Kuti’s compatriot, Favour Ojo, has exited the competition after losing her second consecutive group-stage match, going down 3-1 to Egypt’s Yara Elbadawy. Ojo had earlier partnered Kuti in the mixed doubles event, where the Nigerian pair were eliminated in the round of 16 by their Thai opponents.
Speaking on the challenges of the competition, Kuti acknowledged the high standard of opposition at the Games but expressed optimism ahead of his final group match.
“It has not been easy for us here in Dakar because everybody is at their best and we are all aiming for the knockout stage,” he said, adding, “I hope I can raise my game against the Italian.”
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