Nigeria crushes Côte d’Ivoire to Win ITTF Regional Championship

Nigeria’s men’s table tennis team made a strong statement on Thursday as they reclaimed their title at the 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships, overpowering Côte d’Ivoire in the final at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

After losing the title to Togo in 2024, the Nigerian men returned with renewed focus and made the most of the home advantage.

The team, featuring Matthew Kuti, Taiwo Mati, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, dominated the group stage, dropping just one set en route to the final.

In the decisive match, the team crushed Côte d’Ivoire with a commanding 3-0 victory.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian women’s team extended their reign in the region.

Led by Ajoke Ojomu, the team convincingly defeated Benin Republic, Ghana, and Guinea to retain their crown, cementing their dominance in the women’s team event.

The regional championship also serves as a qualification event for the 2025 African Championships slated for October in Kigali, Rwanda.

The top three teams in each category will proceed to the continental showdown.

Attention now shifts to the singles competition, which resumed on Friday with expectations of thrilling matchups.

Defending men’s champion Oba Kizito of Côte d’Ivoire faces stiff competition from Nigeria’s Taiwo Mati and Matthew Kuti, as well as contenders from Togo and Benin Republic.

Read Also: Nigeria U-17 girls bow out of FIBA World Cup after loss to Hungary

In Group 9, Guinea’s Maret Camara impressed with a clean 3-0 win over Ghana’s James Marfo, while Nigeria’s Matthew Fabunmi narrowly lost 3-2 to Benin Republic’s Atanda Adou in Group 11, Nigeria’s only singles defeat so far.

In the women’s singles, Nigeria remains a strong force with Ajoke Ojomu, Kabirat Ayoola, and Aishat Rabiu topping their respective groups to advance to the knockout stage.

The 2025 ITTF Africa West Regional Championships, which features ten participating countries, concludes on Saturday, July 19, with champions to be crowned in both men’s and women’s singles categories.