Nigeria’s sole representatives in the 2025 ITTF African Club Championships, the Canaan Queens of Calabar, have fought their way into the semifinals of the women’s event in Tunis, Tunisia, Afrosport reports.
Eight teams from Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Madagascar are competing in the women’s event, with Egypt’s Zamalek aiming to defend their 2024 title.
In the men’s category, nine teams from Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Madagascar, Congo DR, and Cote d’Ivoire are vying for honors, with Egypt’s ENPPI as the defending champions.
The Nigerian team, led by Fatimo Bello, Janet Effiom, Cecilia Otu-Akpan, and Hope Udoaka, has already defeated their Tunisian and Madagascan counterparts in Group 1 of the Women’s event.
However, in their last group match, the Nigerian ladies fell 3-0 to defending champions Zamalek of Egypt, finishing second in the group and advancing to the semifinals.
The Calabar Queens will face Petrojet of Egypt in the first semifinal of the Women’s event on Monday, February 24, at the El-Menzah Sports Hall in Tunis.
Competition Manager Ghazi Ben Hsen noted the impressive turnout of teams for the Club Championships, with Madagascar, Côte d’Ivoire, and Congo DR participating for the first time. He added that the tournament serves as a good rehearsal for the Africa Cup, which kicks off on Tuesday, February 25.
