Editor
Egypt once again reaffirmed its dominance in African table tennis on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by defending both the men’s and women’s team titles at the ITTF Africa Championships Tangier 2026, held at Morocco’s Olympic Arena.
The Egyptian women’s team, comprising Dina Meshref, Hana Goda, Mariam Alhodaby, Farida Badawy, and Hend Fathy, delivered a flawless campaign en route to the title. They sealed the championship with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisia in the final, extending their remarkable record in the competition.
Their triumph was all the more impressive because they did not drop a single match throughout the tournament. From the group stage to the final, the Egyptian women swept aside every opponent with emphatic 3-0 victories. The title also extended Egypt’s unbeaten run in the women’s team event, which dates back to the 2012 championships in Cairo. With this latest success, they have now claimed an unprecedented 10 consecutive team titles.
While the women’s team enjoyed a smooth path to gold, the Egyptian men’s team faced a much sterner challenge defending their title against Algeria in a thrilling final.
The Egyptian trio of Youssef Abdelaziz, Omar Assar, and Mohamed El-Beiali entered the contest as favourites. Still, they were pushed to the limit by Algeria’s Stéphane Ouaiche, Maheidine Bella, and Sami Kherouf.
Algeria struck first when Bella produced a composed performance to defeat Abdelaziz 3-2, handing Egypt its first loss of the tournament. Assar quickly restored parity with a dominant 3-0 victory over Ouaiche.
The third match featured a familiar rivalry between El-Beiali and Kherouf. Both players produced a highly entertaining contest, but it was El-Beiali who prevailed 3-2 to give Egypt a 2-1 advantage.
Ouaiche then levelled the tie for Algeria with a 3-1 win over Abdelaziz in what proved to be one of the final’s standout matches. The two left-handers exchanged spectacular rallies and matched each other shot for shot in an intense battle that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
With the final tied at 2-2, the championship came down to a decisive clash between Assar and Bella. The packed arena was treated to table tennis of the highest quality as both players displayed exceptional skill, determination, and composure. The young Bella pushed the experienced Assar to his limits in a fiercely contested encounter.
The deciding game was a fitting finale to an unforgettable final. Point for point and service for service, neither player was willing to yield. Ultimately, Assar’s experience proved decisive as he edged the final game 17-15, securing a dramatic victory and sealing Egypt’s 3-2 overall triumph.
By winning both team titles in Tangier, Egypt once again demonstrated why it remains the powerhouse of African table tennis, extending its remarkable legacy on the continental stage.
