by Ian Marshall, Editor

After recording a quarter-final success against Tunisia’s Adam Hmam and Safa Saidani (7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7) they accounted for colleagues to secure the title.

At the semi-final stage they overcame Mohamed El-Beialy and Reem El-Eraky (11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5), prior to reserving the top step of the podium courtesy of success in opposition to Ahmed Ali Saleh and Farah Abdel-Aziz (12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Notably, in the opposite half of the draw, Ahmed Ali Saleh and Farah Abdel-Aziz had ended Nigerian hopes. In the round of the last eight they beat Olajide Omotayo and Cecilia Akpan (11-3, 14-12, 11-0), before securing their place in the final by ousting Bode Abiodun and Offiong Edem (12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Both Mohamed El-Beialy and Reem El-Eraky alongside Ahmed Ali Saleh and Farah Abdel-Aziz received bronze medals.

Gold and silver for Egypt; it was a noticeable improvement on four years ago when the African Games had been staged in Congo Brazzaville; on that occasion both pairs had been required to settle for bronze.
At the semi-final stage, Omar Assar and Dina Meshref lost to the host nation’s Wang Jianan and Li Yuheng (11-9, 16-11, 13-11); in the opposite half of the draw Ahmed Ali Saleh and Farah Abdel-Aziz experienced defeat at the hands of Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo and Olufunke Oshonaike (11-8, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3).

Wang Jianan and Li Yuheng progressed to secure the title; in the final recording a straight games win (11-2, 11-6, 14-12); four years later it was a very different story, Egypt ruled supreme.