Most impressively, Azeez Solanke, Taiwo Mati and Emmanuel Augustine combined to win the under 21 men’s team title; a 3-0 win being recorded in opposition to Tunisia’s Youssef Ben Attia, Aboubaker Bourass and Louay Hamrouni.

Similarly in the contest for third place, Egypt’s Mahmoud Helmy, Ahmed Elborhamy and Marwan Abdelwahab overcame Algeria’s Azzeddine Lazazi, Abdelbasset Chaichi and Meziane Belabbas by the very same margin.

A most imposing display by the Nigerians but arguably their best came in the junior boys’ team final when against traditional rivals, Egypt, not one single game was surrendered. Azeez Solanke beat Ahmed Elborhamy (11-7, 11-6, 11-7), before Jamiu Ayanwale accounted for Marwan Abdelwahab (13-11, 11-9, 11-5) and Emmanuel Augustine overcame Abdelrahman Dendan (11-3, 11-9, 11-6) to end matters.

Success in style for the Nigerian trio; it was the same in the third place fixture. Tunisia’s Aboubaker Bourass, Youssef Ben Attia and Louay Hamrouni recorded a 3-0 against Togo’s Abdou Rasaq Sofianou, Kossi Akakpo and Eke Victor Kueviakoe.

Bronze for Tunisia, in the cadet boys’ team event it was silver; a contest in which once more Nigeria showed high quality. Taiwo Mati and Jamiu Ayanwale, again on duty, they overcame Youssef Abid and Khalil Sta to reserve the top step of the podium.

Third place finished in Egyptian hands; the combination of Marwan Gamal, Mohamed Sameh and Amr Mahfouz recorded a 3-0 win in opposition to the Algeria outfit comprising Mohammed Bechni, Abderrahmane Azzala and Abdelwahab Bellahsene.

Team events over, attention now turns to the individual competitions, matters conclude in Accra on Saturday 13th April.

2019 African Youth, Junior and Cadet Championships: Newsletter No.5 (Wednesday 10th April)