Nigeria’s renowned table tennis player and defending champion of the African Cup men’s singles, Quadri Aruna, has been placed in Group 2 for the men’s singles event. His journey to defend his title kicks off against Salifou Abdel-Kader from Benin and Sabhi Myshaal from Tunisia at the ongoing 2025 tournament in Tunisia. Aruna, a five-time winner, is among the top table tennis players in Africa set to compete at the El-Menzah Sports Hall in Tunis, Tunisia.
The players are battling for prestigious continental titles and the opportunity to secure spots in the ITTF World Cup. Those who reach the semi-finals will secure their places in Macao, China, in April. In the men’s singles category, 29 players are vying for four spots in the global tournament, while 21 players are competing for four tickets in the women’s singles event.
Aruna, alongside Egypt’s Dina Meshref, the reigning women’s singles champion, faces a tough challenge defending their titles against strong opponents at the El-Menzah Sports Hall. Aruna is eyeing his sixth title, while Egypt’s Omar Assar is also aiming for his sixth victory in Tunis. They will face competition from emerging talents like Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti, Cameroon’s Batix Ylane, and other seasoned players present in Tunis.
Meshref, the most successful player in the competition, is looking to surpass her nine titles in Tunis. Despite her dominance, she must elevate her performance to stay ahead of the competition. Egypt’s Hana Goda, the highest-ranked female player in Africa, is eager to secure her third title after triumphs in Lagos 2022 and Nairobi 2023.
As the tournament progresses, potential matchups between the two Egyptian players could add excitement to the competition. They must remain vigilant against other competitors aiming to make their mark in Tunis with unexpected victories.
In a first for the tournament, ITTF-Africa is introducing individual awards to recognize excellence in table tennis and showcase its corporate partners at events such as the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis.