Nigeria’s Ayoola Kabirat emerged as the country’s sole survivor in the U-19 Girls’ Singles after an eventful Round of 16 at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Accra, Ghana.
Sports247 reports that Kabirat delivered a commanding performance, brushing aside Cameroon’s Koulaouinhi Lorenza in straight sets (4-0) to book her place in the quarter-finals and keep Nigeria’s hopes of a medal alive.
However, it was a disappointing outing for the country’s other representatives as three Nigerians bowed out at the Round of 16 stage.
Musa Khadijah saw her campaign come to an end after suffering a defeat to Algeria’s Morice Jade, while Okanlawon Kadijat was beaten 4-2 by South Africa’s Sunday Rochica in a hard-fought contest.
There was also heartbreak for Ojo Favour, who produced a spirited comeback but ultimately fell 4-3 to Algeria’s Sadi Hana in one of the most closely contested matches of the round.
With the quarter-final lineup now confirmed, Kabirat faces another stern test against Uganda’s Nakawala Jemimah, who caused one of the biggest upsets of the competition by eliminating Egypt’s Yara Elbadawy.
Meanwhile, Algeria’s Morice Jade will square off against South Africa’s Sunday Rochica in another intriguing last-eight encounter.
Nigeria will now pin its hopes on Ayoola Kabirat as she looks to continue her impressive run and secure a place in the semi-finals of the continental championship.
A victory over Nakawala would guarantee Nigeria a podium finish and further underline the country’s growing strength in youth table tennis on the African stage.
