by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Africa Press Officer
A 3-0 win was the outcome; she accounted for Light Sénami Avodagbe (11-6, 11-2, 11-1), to be followed by Farida Badawy who overcame Ayoko Fanida Amah (11-4, 11-7, 11-4). Farida Badawy and Rouaa Elnaghi concluded matters, they combined to secure the doubles at the expense of Kayi Golda Amah and Ayoko Fanida Amah (11-7, 11-5, 11-3).
Undoubtedly, Hana Goda enters the tournament in quite rich vein of form.
Earlier this year in February on the ITTF World Junior Circuit she competed in both Bahrain and Sweden. Notably in Bahrain she was a semi-finalist in both the junior girls’ singles and cadet girls’ singles events; later in the month in Sweden she secured first place in her initial stage junior girls’ singles group, before experiencing a first round defeat. However, in a very competitive cadet girls’ singles event, she progressed to the quarter-finals.
“I am here for the title and nothing can stop me. I have been looking forward to this opportunity. I have it now; nothing that can prevent me from fulfilling my dream of winning my first continental title in Ghana.” Hana Goda
An opening success for Egypt; it was the same for Tunisia’s Farah Mahjoub and Maram Zoghlami, the top seeds, as it was for Algeria’s Melissa Belache and Hadil Merrouche, the no.3 seeds.
Farah Mahjoub and Maram Zoghlami recorded a 3-0 win against the Congo Democratic outfit comprising Lily Dinanga, Gloria Dianda and Julie Kayembe; by the same margin Melissa Belache and Hadil Merrouche overcame South Africa’s Leeché de Bruyn and Anande Kuse.
Play continues with the second series of fixtures later in the day.
