2026 ITTF Africa cup begins in Benghazi

The 2026 ITTF Africa Cup begins on Friday in Benghazi, Libya, with 14 countries and 45 players competing for continental glory and World Cup qualification.

The tournament features 27 men and 18 women, with winners earning coveted tickets to the 2026 ITTF World Cup, scheduled for March 30 to April 5.

It marks Libya’s first international table tennis event, promising high drama as elite African stars face ambitious newcomers on a historic stage.

Six-time champion Omar Assar of Egypt returns under pressure, as rivals aim to end his reign. “Every match will be a battle,” Assar reportedly said.

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, a five-time winner, is chasing history by matching Assar’s record, reigniting one of Africa’s fiercest table tennis rivalries.

Aruna, who has limited recent international appearances, will need peak form to challenge Assar’s pursuit of a seventh continental crown.

Egypt’s men’s team also includes left-handers Youssef Abdelaziz and Mostapha Badr, both targeting podium finishes in a fiercely contested field.

Other challengers include Cameroon’s Ylane Batix, Benin’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa and Tunisia’s teenage prodigy Wassim Essid.

Libya’s Habeb Alajaebi will enjoy strong home support, though reaching the knockout stages would represent a major personal milestone.

Twenty-seven (27) men will contest four World Cup slots, with Egypt fielding three players as defending champions.

In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Hana Goda, Dina Meshref and Mariam Alhodaby headline the competition.

Goda, 18, a three-time champion, said her experience would be vital as she seeks to “maintain dominance against a stronger field”.

Meshref, the nine-time champion, hopes to reclaim her title after losing in 2025, despite concerns over her recent form.

Alhodaby, winner of the 2021 African Championships, is still chasing her first Africa Cup title.

Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, Tunisia’s Ela Saidi and Algeria’s Jade Marice highlight a new generation challenging the established order.

Madagascar’s Hanitra Raharimanana and South Africa’s Rochica Sonday also feature as 18 women battle for honours and World Cup places.

With champions and rising stars converging in Benghazi, organisers say fans should expect “a true celebration of African table tennis”.  (NAN)

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