Nigerian table tennis players stamped their authority on home soil at the 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships, setting up all-Nigerian semifinals in both the men’s and women’s singles events on Friday at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos.
In what has been a commanding display of dominance, eight Nigerian players — four in the men’s singles and four in the women’s — sealed their spots in Saturday’s semi-finals after overcoming tough opposition from across the sub-region.
In the men’s singles, Taiwo Mati, who has been one of the standout performers of the tournament, defeated Benin Republic’s Adou Amir Atanda 4-1 (11-5, 11-13, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7), to move into the quarter-finals. He continued his fine form by overcoming his compatriot Muizz Adegoke 4-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9) to secure a semi-final spot.
Abdulfatai Abdulbasit also had a stellar outing. After dispatching Ghana’s James Marfo in the Round of 16 with a clean 4-0 sweep (11-8, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6), he triumphed over Ivory Coast’s Oba Oba Kizito in a closely contested quarterfinal encounter. Abdulbasit dropped the second set but eventually sealed a 4-1 win (11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9) to join Mati in the last four.
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But Kizito’s earlier performance had been one of the day’s most dramatic. In the Round of 16, he staged a stunning comeback from 3-1 down to defeat Nigeria’s Quadri Atunwon in seven tense sets. After losing the fourth set 13-11 and facing elimination, the Ivorian roared back to take the final three sets, completing a 4-3 victory (8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-6, 11-7, 11-9) and earn a spot in the quarters.
Another Nigerian, Wasiu Kolasi, edged compatriot Mathew Fabunmi 4-3 in a nail-biting quarterfinal clash. After trailing two sets, Kolasi fought back to win with scores of 5-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 11-5.
Rounding up the Nigerian men’s quarterfinal wins, Matthew Kuti cruised past Ivory Coast’s Ben Moussa Dosso in a 4-1 victory (11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5), ensuring all four semifinal spots in the men’s category are occupied by Nigerians.
On the women’s side, the home team was equally impressive. In the quarterfinals, Aishat Rabiu outlasted fellow Nigerian Maryam Ahmed in a six-set thriller (11-8, 9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8), displaying grit and mental strength to reach the semifinals.
Sukurat Aiyelabegan also advanced with a 4-1 win over Kabirat Ayoola (11-7, 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8), while Ojo Favour delivered a solid performance to eliminate Benin Republic’s Ziadath Akadiri, winning 4-1 (12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9).
Completing the all-Nigerian semifinal lineup was Ajoke Ojomu, who defeated Aziza Sezuo 4-0 (11-3, 13-11, 11-5, 11-6), underlining Nigeria’s dominance on home soil.
With the semifinals and final scheduled for Saturday, Nigerian players are now guaranteed all podium places in both the men’s and women’s singles categories.
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