by Ian Marshall, Editor
The no.4 seeds, success in their opening contest, a 3-0 win being posted against the host nation’s Augustina Baidoo and Matilda Fodu, in their second engagement they caused an upset of note; they beat the no.3 seeds, the South African trio comprising Musfiquh Kalam, Simeen Mookrey and Jesse Namdo by the very same margin.
Problems for the third seeds in the under 21 women’s team event, there were also difficulties for the no.2 seeds, Algeria’s Loubna Djedjik, Hiba Feredj and Sannah Lagsir ended the day unbeaten but they needed the full five matches to overcome the no.5 seeds, the Tunisian combination formed by Fadwa Garci, Samar Hichri and Maram Zoghlami. The player to cause Algeria problems was Fadwa Garci, she beat both Hiba Feredj (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 14-12) and Sannah Lagsir (11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7).
Testing times for two seeded outfits; not for the top seeds; Egypt’s Mariam Alhodaby, Marwa Alhodaby and Sarah Abousetta duly concluded their group phase matches without defeat and thus in first place in their group.
Top spot for Egypt in the group stage of the under 21 women’s team event, it was the same for their male counterparts in the under 21 men’s team competition. Selecting from Marwan Abdelwahhab, Omar Elhamady, Ahmed Elborhamy and Mahmoud Helmy, first group spot was secured.
A successful day for Egypt, likewise there were positive outcomes for Algeria’s Abdelbasset Chaichi, Azzedine Lazai and Islem Tifoura, as there were for Tunisia’s Youssef Ben Attia, Aboubaker Bourass and Usman Ishola Okanlawon. Both outfits ended the day unbeaten.
However, for the Tunisians it was hard work. They needed to full five matches to beat Nigeria’s Emmanuel Augustine, Taiwo Mati and Azeez Solanke. Mainstay of the victory was Aboubaker Bourass, he accounted for both Emmanuel Augustine (11-4, 10-12, 11-6, 13-11) and Taiwo Mati (12-10, 6-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8). Hero of the hour was Youssef Ben Attia, in the vital last match of the fixture he overcame Emmanuel Augustine (11-3, 11-6, 4-11, 11-7).
Play continues in both the under 21 men’s team and under 21 women’s team events on Monday 8th April.
2019 African Youth, Junior and Cadet Championships: Newsletter No.2 (Sunday 7th April)
