Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s trio of Dina Meshref, Omar Assar, and Hana Goda were all eliminated in the early phase of the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, a tournament that once again exposed the widening gulf between Africa and the global heavyweights in table tennis.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the campaign ended in disappointment, a sign that Africa still has a mountain to climb to match the consistency and depth of elite international players.
Korean Precision Halts Assar’s Ambitions
Egypt’s Omar Assar, current African champion and a player long viewed as a continental standard-bearer, began his Macao journey with great promise. However, his aspirations took a hit in a 3-1 loss to South Korea’s Lee Jaehyun, whose calm execution and strategy proved decisive.
“I played well today. Assar is an excellent player, so I did a lot of pre-match preparations, and it seems I executed them well,” Jaehyun said, highlighting the level of planning it took to overcome the Egyptian.
Though Assar delivered glimpses of the aggressive play that won him the 2025 Africa Cup, it wasn’t enough to overpower Jaehyun’s calculated approach. His early exit marks another chapter in his ongoing quest for a breakthrough on the world stage.
Meshref Upstaged by Rising Chinese Star
Dina Meshref, one of Africa’s most decorated female players, faced an unfamiliar opponent in China’s Man Kuai. Despite taking the first set with confidence, Meshref couldn’t maintain her momentum, as Kuai came back strongly to win 3-1.
“It’s our first encounter, and my opponent is a leftie with great strength. At the beginning of the first game, I played a little too cautiously, which gave Meshref a huge opportunity to win. After losing game one, I didn’t give up and focused on each point,” Kuai reflected after her win.
While Meshref’s experience and technique were clear to see, Kuai’s adaptability and growing prowess on the global stage made the difference in the end.
Goda Impresses Despite Defeat
Teen prodigy Hana Goda of Egypt delivered one of the most entertaining performances from an African perspective, going toe-to-toe with world number 9 Sofia Polcanova of Austria. Goda displayed tenacity and poise, but ultimately bowed out 3-1 in a match that showcased her immense potential.
“Today was a very difficult match. Hana Goda is a very good player, very promising. She’s still so young and has many good results. I had to fight for every ball… I hope she continues to be her best, and a bright future is ahead of her,” Polcanova said in admiration of her young opponent.
Though eliminated, Goda’s ability to challenge a top-10 player is a sign that she may soon be carrying Africa’s hopes in global tournaments.
Aruna’s Old Foe Strikes Again
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna entered his match against Sweden’s Anton Kallberg with hopes of breaking a personal losing streak. Instead, the veteran was swept aside in straight sets, with a 4-0 defeat marking his fourth consecutive loss to the Swede.
Though Aruna came close in the first two sets, Kallberg’s relentless form and psychological edge proved too much. Their rivalry began in a gripping seven-set semifinal during the 2021 WTT Contender in Tunis, which Kallberg narrowly won 4-3.
Since then, the Swede has dominated their encounters—beating Aruna 3-0 in the 2022 WTT Champions Round of 32, and again 3-1 at the 2024 WTT Smash in China. The latest result adds to Aruna’s well-documented difficulties against European opponents.
A Glimmer Amid the Gloom
While Africa’s representatives head home without a win, the tournament wasn’t without its positives. Youngsters like Hana Goda displayed immense promise, and the seasoned stars now have a wealth of experience to draw on.
The 2025 ITTF World Cup served as both a showcase of Africa’s grit and a stark reminder of the work still needed to challenge the world’s elite. For now, the dream lives on—with lessons in hand, and eyes on future glory.
