Aruna, Assar to Renew Rivalry in Nairobi 

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar of Egypt will again take their rivalry to Nairobi, Kenya when the 2023 Africa Cup kicks off on May 4. The competition will run until May 6 at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani, Kenya. 

Aruna who missed out from the title in 2022 after suffering a thigh injury in the final to concede the crown  to Assar at 4-3. 

He will be hoping to reclaim the title following his recent devastating form in international tournaments across the globe. 

Aruna, presently ranked 12th in the world, is the highest ranked African in the world while Assar is 33rd and the second best rated In the continent. 

Current African best ranked female player, Dina Meshref, is at present in fine form following her display at the just concluded WTT Champions in China will be up against compatriot and defending champion Hana Goda who claimed her first continental title in Lagos last year. 

Each participating country is expected to present two players  in the men and women events while Egypt as the defending champions in men and women will nominate two players alongside the two champions. 

Kenya as host will present four players each in men and women events while Brian Mutua will lead the East African team against the visitors. 

Already, the organisers of the tournament, Kenya Table Tennis Association (KTTA) has assured stakeholders of a top-class event having staged the same event in 2018. 

The Africa Club Championships will precede the Africa Cup and both tournaments would serve as dress rehearsals for the first World Championships to be staged in Africa in 84 years, which is due to take place in Durban, South Africa from May 20 to 28.