Female Champion of Western Region, Fatimo Bello has advanced to the semifinal of the women’s singles category on Day 3 of the Africa Cup championships
Bello defeated compatriot, Eden Offiong, the number four seed, in a thrilling encounter which ended 4-3 (3-11,11-9,7-11,11-9,8-11,11-7,11-7) to reach this stage of the competition for the first time.
She will face 2021 Champion, Mariam Alhodaby of Egypt, who dispatched 2010 Champion Sarah Hanffou of Cameroon, 4-3 (11-2, 6-11,2-11,11-5,2-11,11-6,11-8) to save a spot in the last four.
In the other semifinal tie, Teenage sensation and number two seed Hana Goda of Egypt repeated the same result she recorded against Olufunke Oshoanike in 2021 by beating the seven-time Olympian 4-0 (13-11,11-6,11-8,11-6) to set up a semifinal clash against compatriot Dina Meshref.
Meshref overcame Tunisia’s Fadwa Garci 4-0 (11-3,11-5,11-8,11-6) to claim a last four berth.
In the men’s event, world number 10 and number 1 seed, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria, wasted no time in edging out Tunisia’s Aboubaker Bourass 4-0 (11-1,11-4,11-3,11-5) to hit the semifinal and remained on course for a ticket to World Table Tennis Championship.
He will take on defending champion, Ahmed Saleh of Egypt who came back from the brink of defeat to beat Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo 4-2 (11-7,7-11,11-6,7-11,12-14,7-11) to secure a place in the last four.
In the last encounter of Day Two, the tie between Nigeria’s Bode Abiodun and Mohamed El-Beiali of Egypt gave the fans a lot to cheer but Abiodun had to surrender the game at 2-3 after he sustained an injury.
El-Beiali will slug it out with fellow countryman and world No 20, Omar Assar for a place in the final.
The three-day tournament ends this Saturday, 28 May with the final matches where winners in the men and women singles will represent Africa at the WTT Cup Finals later in the year.
VON