Mati Returns As Nigeria Names Squad For African Table Tennis Championship
By AUGUSTUS ISICHEI
NIGERIA’S table tennis star Taiwo Mati has been recalled to the national team as the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) unveiled a 10-player squad for the 2025 ITTF African Championships in Tunis. The continental showpiece, slated for 12 – 19 October, will double as the qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, which marks the centenary of the global tournament first held in 1926.
Mati, 19, last represented Nigeria at the 2023 World Championships in Durban. His return follows an impressive run to the semifinals at the 2025 West Regional Championships. He will line up alongside Africa’s top-ranked player Quadri Aruna, Olajide Omotayo, Matthew Kuti, and rising teenage talent Abdulbasit Abdulfatai in the men’s squad.
The women’s team will be led by Ajoke Ojomu, joined by emerging stars Favour Ojo, Aishat Rabiu, Kabirat Ayoola, and Sukurat Aiyelabegan.
NTTF Vice President Adesoji Tayo said the squad reflects a balance of youth and experience, highlighting the federation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of players. He added that the youngsters would gain invaluable exposure competing against Africa’s toughest opponents under the guidance of veteran coaches Segun Toriola and Dotun Omoniyi.
Nigeria’s men will face stiff competition from powerhouses like Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, while the women’s team will battle rivals including Egypt, South Africa, and Ghana.
The top-performing teams in Tunis will earn places at the historic London 2026 World Team Championships, offering Nigeria a chance to cement its legacy on the global stage.
