Africa’s Best Battle for World Cup Spots at 2025 ITTF Africa Cup

The stakes are incredibly high at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, where the continent’s top table tennis players are set to battle at the El-Menzah Sports Hall in Tunis, Tunisia. The tournament, beginning on Tuesday, February 25, offers not only prestigious continental titles but also coveted tickets to the ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, this April.

World Cup Qualification on the Line

The competition for the Men’s and Women’s World Cup slots will be fierce, with semifinalists securing their places at the global event. In the Men’s Singles category, 29 players will compete for four available tickets to China, while 21 players will battle for the same number of spots in the Women’s Singles.

Aruna and Meshref Face Tough Title Defense

Defending champions, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Dina Meshref will have a tough challenge retaining their titles against strong opposition. Aruna, who seeks his sixth continental crown, will face stiff competition from fellow six-time champion Omar Assar of Egypt, as well as emerging talents like Tunisia’s Wassim Essid, Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti, and Cameroon’s Batix Ylane.

Meshref, the most decorated player in the tournament’s history with nine titles, aims to extend her dominance. However, she must contend with Africa’s highest-ranked female player, Hana Goda of Egypt, who is chasing a third title after triumphs in Lagos (2022) and Nairobi (2023). While the Egyptian duo are top contenders, other players in the field will be determined to upset the odds and claim glory in Tunis.

New Player Awards to Debut in Tunis

For the first time in ITTF Africa Cup history, the tournament will introduce individual awards to recognize outstanding performances and enhance sponsor engagement. These awards include:

Player of the Day (Male & Female): Given to standout performers from the knockout stage onward. (Sponsor: ValueJet)

Most Improved Player of the Tournament (Male & Female): Awarded to rising stars making a significant impact. (Sponsor: Ethiopian Airlines Holiday)

Fair Play Award (Male or Female): Recognizing the player who best demonstrates sportsmanship and fairness. (Sponsor: Stag)

ITTF Africa believes these awards will not only boost player recognition but also strengthen partnerships and corporate engagement in table tennis on the continent.