by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The trio secured first place in their group, they beat Togo by three matches to one, the team which the previous day had accounted for South Africa, the highest rated outfit in the group.

Man of the moment was Kanate Ali, he accounted for both Atarou Assou (11-3, 11-7, 11-7) and Kossi Akakpo (11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 13-11).

First place in the group for Côte d’Ivoire, in the remaining groups in the Under 21 Men’s Team event it was top spot as expected for Tunisia’s Mootezz Saadaoui, Chouayb Lagha and Aboubaker Bourass; also for Egypt’s Aly Ghallab, Youssef Abdel-Aziz and Omar Elhomady.

Egypt impressive; it was the same in the Junior Boys’ Team and Junior Girls’ Team events. In the former Marwan Abdelwahab, Youssef Abdel-Aziz and Abdelrahaman Dendan duly topped their group as in the latter did the latter did the combination Marwa Alhodaby, Mariam Alhodaby and Bada Elsisy.

Likewise in the corresponding groups it was first place for Tunisia. In the Junior Boys’ Team event Nathael Hamdoun, Aboubaker Bourass Atef Bu Salah reserved top spot as in the Junior Girls’ Team competition did Manel Baklouti, Abir Haj Salah and Fadwa Garci.

Meanwhile, in the Cadet Boys’ Team, represented by Ziad Elshawa and Mohamed Azzam; Egypt secured first place in their group as did the Tunisian selection of Youssef Abid, Khali Sta and Habib Ameur.

Also, in the Cadet Girls’ Team competition, there was success for Egypt in the guise of Hend Fathy and Sara Elhaken. They concluded matters in first place in their group as did the Algerian outfit formed by Melissa Belache, Hadjer Belache and Cheima Merzouq

Play in the team events continues on Monday 9th April.