ITTF Africa Youth, Junior and Cadet Champs, Acheampong, Opoku carry Ghana’s hopes

Judith Acheampong and Diana Opoku have become only Ghana’s only hopes for honours in the girls’ Under-15 singles event as they face unknown opponents today in the ongoing International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Youth, Junior and Cadet Championship at the Trust Sports Emporium in Accra.

Judith progressed from her group after beating Tanzania’s Alisa Bhojani 3-0 yesterday to emerge as one of the leaders of her group.

Also, Diana defeated her opponent from Congo Brazzaville, Gad Ibouendo 3-0. The wins for the Ghanaian duo moved them to the next stage of the competition.

Ghana’s hopes of winning medals in the boys’ Under-18 and girls’ Under-18 doubles events got shattered after both teams lost their quarter-final matches yesterday.

The host nation’s Team A, comprising Samuel Hagan and Augustine Baidoo, beat the Sierra Leonean pair of Brendford Sawyer and Kamara Mohammed 3-0 in the Round of 32.

However, the Ghanaians failed to progress to the quarter-finals zone of the competition after they lost 0-3 to the Nigerian duo of Azeez Solanke and Jamiu Ayanwale.

Also, Ghana Team B, comprising Desmond Osei and Benjamin Ofori, lost their quarter-finals match 2-3 against the South African duo of Yakail Naidoo and Keenen Jooste, having won their Round of 32 clash against Congo Brazzaville.

Collins Damoah and Theophilus Okyere, who formed Ghana’s Team C earlier beat their South African counterparts 3-2 but could not maintain the momentum as they succumbed 2-3 to Tunisia’s duo of Youssef and Bourass Aboubaker in the Round 16 stage.

Countries who have booked their places in the quarter-finals of the U-18 doubles include Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Egypt and Tunisia.

Ghana’s Under-18 girls team comprising, Matilda Fodu and Augustina Baidoo lost their Round of 16 match 1-3 against Tunisia’s pair of Fadawa Garci and Samar Hichri, having earlier accounted for Ziadath Akadiri and Chancia Cynthia Lima of Benin at the round of 32 stage.

Meanwhile, in the Round 32 stage of the U-18 mixed doubles event, the Baidoo twins (Augustina and Augustine) of Ghana lost 0-3 to Egypt’s Ahmed Elborhamy and Sara Elhakem. Also, Samuel Hagan and Matilda Fodu also lost 0-3 to the Egyptian pair of Sara Elhakem and Ahmed Elborham.