Nigeria Sweeps Côte d’Ivoire to Regain Regional Table‑Tennis Title

Home advantage and renewed resolve proved decisive as Nigeria’s men reclaimed the ITTF Africa West Regional Championship crown on Thursday, sweeping Côte d’Ivoire 3‑0 in the final at Molade Okoya‑Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

After surrendering the title to Togo last year, the hosts sailed through the 2025 edition without dropping a match and conceded just one set before the final. Matthew Kuti, Taiwo Mati and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai wrapped up the decisive tie in straight games, delighting a partisan crowd and sealing Nigeria’s automatic berth at the 2025 African Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.

The women’s squad, led by Ajoke Ojomu, underlined the country’s regional dominance by posting routine victories over Benin Republic, Ghana and Guinea to retain their title. Ojomu, Kabirat Ayoola and Aishat Rabiu also topped their women’s singles groups, joining men’s trio Kuti, Mati and Abdulfatai in Friday’s knockout rounds.

Defending men’s singles champion Oba Kizito of Côte d’Ivoire now faces a stern challenge from the in‑form Nigerian pair, while competitors from Togo and Benin Republic remain in the medal conversation. Guinea’s Maret Camara staked his claim by finishing Group 9 unbeaten, and Benin’s Atanda Adou inflicted Nigeria’s only group‑stage singles defeat, edging Matthew Fabunmi 3‑2.

Ten nations are contesting the four‑event tournament, which wraps up on Saturday, 19 July. The top three teams in each category will join Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire’s singles stars at October’s continental finals in Kigali.