Nigeria’s men’s table tennis team reclaimed regional supremacy on Thursday, with a dominant victory over Ivory Coast in the final of the 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall in Lagos.
The home side, led by Matthew Kuti, Taiwo Mati, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, stormed to a 3-0 win in the gold medal match, capping off a near-perfect campaign that saw them drop just one set throughout the tournament. That lone blemish ironically came against the Ivorians in the group stage—fueling Nigeria’s hunger for revenge in the final.
The victory marks a sweet return to the top for Nigeria after they were edged by Togo in the 2024 edition. Playing on home soil in front of an energetic Lagos crowd, the Nigerian team delivered a statement performance to secure their place at the 2025 African Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, later this year.
Nigeria’s women’s team also retained their title, with Ajoke Ojomu leading a flawless run against Benin Republic, Ghana, and Guinea. Their dominance confirmed Nigeria’s status as the top table tennis nation in West Africa.
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The four-day championship, which doubled as a qualifier for the continental finals, has showcased some of the region’s brightest talents and fiercest rivalries. With team events concluded, attention now turns to the singles competitions, where high-stakes battles are expected on Friday, July 18.
In the men’s singles, Ivory Coast’s Oba Oba Kizito, the defending champion, will face stiff challenges from Nigeria’s Taiwo Mati and Matthew Kuti, both past winners. Strong contenders from Togo and Benin Republic are also eyeing podium finishes.
Guinea’s Maret Camara made headlines on Thursday by topping Group 9 after a commanding 3-0 win over Ghana’s James Marfo. Meanwhile, Nigeria suffered their only singles loss so far when Matthew Fabunmi fell 3-2 to Atanda Adou of Benin Republic in a tightly contested Group 11 match.
On the women’s side, Nigeria’s full roster—Ajoke Ojomu, Kabirat Ayoola, Aishat Rabiu, Favour Ojo, Maryam Ahmed, and Sukurat Aiyelabegan—all advanced to the knockout rounds after topping their respective groups, signaling the country’s strength in depth.
The tournament will climax on Saturday, July 19, when champions will be crowned in both the men’s and women’s singles events. Ten nations, including host Nigeria, are participating in the championship, with the top three teams in each category securing qualification for the African Championships in October.
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