Thrilling Upsets and Dominant Performances: Day 2 Morning Drama at the All-Africa Senior Team Championships
The second day of the All-Africa Senior Team Championships in Douala, Cameroon, delivered intense action, dramatic upsets, and victories with teams battling for crucial group-stage points providing badminton fans a mix of spectacular matches
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Algeria’s Statement Victory Over Hosts Cameroon (Group A)
Algeria sent a strong message to their competitors with a clean 5-0 sweep against hosts and debutants Cameroon. Leading the charge was Halla Bouksani, who controlled the women’s singles match against Madeleine Carene Leticia Akoumba Ze, securing a comfortable 21-15, 21-9 win.
In the men’s singles, Adel Hamek outclassed Félix Michel Kemene Atangana, in a commanding 21-6, 21-13 victory. The doubles match followed the same pattern of Algerian dominance, with Yasmina Chibah and Linda Mazri overpowering their Cameroonian opponents 21-9, 21-8.
The final blow came in the mixed doubles, where Koceila Mammeri and Linda Mazri secured the tie with a 21-11, 21-8 win, solidifying Algeria’s position as a frontrunner in Group A.
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Kalombo Mulenga’s Shock Victory Headlines Mauritius’ 4-1 Win Over Zambia (Group C)
While Mauritius emerged victorious in their tie against Zambia, the biggest headline was an astonishing upset in the men’s singles. Zambia’s Kalombo Mulenga stunned Georges Julien Paul, an Olympian and Vice African Champion, in straight sets (21-11, 21-15).
Mulenga’s aggressive play and tactical awareness dismantled the Mauritian star, marking one of the biggest individual wins of the tournament so far. Reflecting on his performance, Mulenga told BCA TV,
“Yesterday I played three sets against the African Champion, and today I won in straight sets against the Vice African Champion. This shows that I’m on the right track as I prepare for the individual events. I hope to keep this momentum throughout the tournament.”
Despite the setback, Mauritius responded with a dominant display in the remaining matches. Chiara How Hong crushed Mary Chilambe 21-5, 21-7 in the women’s singles, while the Mauritian men’s doubles duo of Jean Bernard Bongout and Georges Julien Paul bounced back to claim a hard-fought 22-20, 21-14 victory. The tie was sealed in the women’s doubles, with Chiara and Elsa How Hong securing a 21-10, 21-10 win.
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Egypt and Nigeria Assert Authority With 5-0 Victories
On Court 3, Egypt got a walkover over Ghana while on Court 4, Nigeria won 5-0 against Equatorial Guinea. The highlight came in the women’s singles, where Chineye Ibere demonstrated her aggressive style in a staggering 21-2, 21-4 win over Melania Nchama Edu Oye.
Nigeria’s doubles pairings proved too strong, particularly in the men’s doubles, where Momoh Nusa and Alhaji Aliyu Shehu demolished their opponents 21-6, 21-4. The team’s synchronized attack and sharp defensive play further established them as a major contender in the competition.
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South Africa Secures 4-1 Victory Over Uganda (Group B)
The morning session concluded with South Africa overpowering Uganda 4-1, with the Ugandan team fighting hard to snatch a single win.
South Africa started strong in the mixed doubles, where Robert Summers and Amy Ackerman showed excellent chemistry to win 21-10, 21-9. In the men’s singles, Caden Kakora delivered a composed performance, defeating Kenneth Comfort Mwambu 21-8, 21-17.
Uganda’s moment of triumph came in the men’s doubles, where Muzafaru Lubega and Augustus Owinyi pulled off a thrilling three-set comeback against South Africa’s Daniel Steyn and Robert Summers, winning 19-21, 17-21, 16-21. However, South Africa wrapped up the tie in the women’s doubles, where Ackerman and Johanita Scholtz showed resilience after losing the first set, eventually winning 15-21, 21-19, 21-15.
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What’s Next? Anticipated Afternoon Clashes
As the tournament progresses, the afternoon session promises high-intensity matchups, including:
- Egypt vs. Algeria: A battle of two undefeated teams in Group A.
- Mauritius vs. Nigeria: Can Nigeria maintain their winning streak, or will Mauritius bounce back?
- Zambia vs. Equatorial Guinea: Zambia looks to build on Mulenga’s shock win.
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