ITTF: Solanke, Mati shine as Nigeria dethrones Egypt in boys’ singles

The dominance of Egypt in the boys singles of the ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championship was brought to an end by Nigeria’s Azeez Solanke who won the junior boys’ singles title.

Solanke partnered Jamiu Ayanwale to claim the junior boys doubles gold as well.

In both disciplines, on the concluding day of play, Solanke ended Egyptian hopes.

In the junior boys’ singles event, he beat Abdelraham Dendan at the quarter-final stage, a contest in which the Egyptian had to eventually withdraw owing to injury (11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6, ret).

He also beat Ahmed El-Borhamy (11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8) and Marwan Abdelwahab (13-11, 4-11, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11, 11-6) to secure the title.

It was second spot for Jamiu Ayanwale, in the cadet boys’ singles event, after beating Tunisia’s Habib Ameur (11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7), it was the second step.

He was beaten in the final by Taiwo Mati (11-8, 11-4, 11-9, 11-8) who ousted Egypt’s Mohamed Sameh (11-6, 11-3, 11-5, 11-4) in the semi final.

Egypt, however, dominated the girls’ singles claiming all the three titles including the doubles event.