South Africa Ends 12-Year Title Drought in Africa Team Badminton
Conor Hudson
Thu Feb 22 2024
In a thrilling showdown at the 2024 Africa Team Badminton Championship held in Cairo, Egypt, the South African women's team finally clinched the title after a 12-year drought by staging a remarkable comeback victory against Uganda.
The South African team, led by players like Gladys Mbabazi and Husina Kobugabe, initially struggled against the Ugandan duo but turned the tide in the third singles match. Johanita Scholtz's impressive performance revived hopes for South Africa as she secured a convincing win against Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi.
Subsequently, the South African doubles pairs, including Amy Ackerman/Laurens and Megan De Beer/Scholtz, orchestrated a stunning reversal, leading to South Africa's sixth championship victory but their first since 2012. Meanwhile, in the men's team event, the hosts Egypt secured their fourth consecutive title after coming back from a 2-0 deficit against Nigeria.
Adel Hamek emerged as Egypt's hero with a thrilling victory in the third men's singles match, followed by a decisive win in the men's doubles alongside Koceila Mammeri. The championship-winning teams will participate in the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2024 in Chengdu, China in April.
In the 2024 Asia Team Badminton Championship, Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia progressed to the quarterfinals, setting up a face-off against Singapore's Loh Kean Yew. The tournament saw intense competition, with top players like Kento Momota and showcasing their skills.
The Africa and Asia Team Badminton Championships have witnessed intense battles and unexpected outcomes, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent of players from various countries. As teams gear up for upcoming events, the badminton world eagerly anticipates more thrilling matches and displays of exceptional skill on the court.