Nigeria will be absent from the men’s and women’s team events at the 2026 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Championships, which begin in Tangier, Morocco, on Sunday, October 18, after financial constraints prevented the country from participating in the West African qualifiers.
The continental championship, which runs until October 25, will feature 14 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams competing for African titles and qualification opportunities for the 2027 ITTF World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Defending champions Egypt head the seedings in both team competitions, with Algeria and Tunisia among the leading contenders, while hosts Morocco will look to capitalise on home advantage.
Men’s Team Event
The 14 participating teams have been drawn into four groups, with Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco leading the respective sections.
Group A: Egypt, South Africa, Togo.
Group B: Algeria, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Group C: Tunisia, Madagascar, Republic of Congo, Rwanda.
Group D: Morocco, Angola, Sudan, Uganda.
Egypt face South Africa and Togo in Group A, while Algeria will compete against Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Tunisia headline Group C, which also features Madagascar, the Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Hosts Morocco will battle Angola, Sudan and Uganda in Group D.
Women’s Team Event
The women’s competition comprises 11 teams divided into three groups, with Egypt, Algeria and South Africa heading the respective sections.
Group A: Egypt, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Group B: Algeria, Madagascar, Botswana, Senegal.
Group C: South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Morocco.
Egypt will face Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group A, while Algeria take on Madagascar, Botswana and Senegal.
Group C brings together South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia and hosts Morocco in a contest featuring several of the continent’s established teams.
Financial Constraints Rule Nigeria Out
Nigeria’s absence follows its failure to participate in the West African regional qualifiers held in Conakry, Guinea, from July 15 to 18.
Nigeria Table Tennis Federation president Adesoji Tayo attributed the withdrawal to financial difficulties and high airfares, which prevented the federation from raising the funds required to send its players to the qualifying tournament.
Missing the regional qualifiers cost Nigeria places in both team competitions, denying the country an opportunity to challenge for the continental titles.
However, Nigerian players will still compete in the individual events.
Former African champion Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo secured places through the ITTF World Rankings, while Matthew Kuti and Sultan Agunbiade received wildcards following their performances at the African Youth Championships in Accra.
In the women’s category, Fatimo Bello and Sukurat Aiyelabegan qualified through the rankings, while Kabirat Ayoola, Favour Ojo and Aziza Sezuo secured wildcard entries.
Their participation offers Nigeria an opportunity to pursue individual honours despite missing the team events.
Morocco Hosts Continental Showpiece
The Tangier championship brings together Africa’s leading table tennis nations for the team competitions, alongside singles, doubles and mixed doubles events.
Egypt will seek to maintain its dominance of African table tennis, while Algeria and Tunisia aim to challenge for the titles. Morocco, meanwhile, will hope to make the most of home support.
For Nigeria, the focus shifts to its individual representatives as the country seeks to remain competitive on the continental stage despite the setback of missing the team events.
Championship details
- Venue: Tangier, Morocco
- Dates: October 18–25, 2026
- Men’s competition: 14 teams
- Women’s competition: 11 teams
- Major qualification target: 2027 ITTF World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan
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