Nigeria’s campaign for the 2025 ITTF African Championships has been dealt a significant setback. World No. 25 and Africa’s top-ranked table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming continental tournament in Tunis, Tunisia.
The event, scheduled to run from October 12 to 19, 2025, is a crucial qualification pathway for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London. Aruna’s absence means Team Nigeria will compete without its most experienced player and multiple-time African champion, a major blow to their chances of securing a top spot.
Promising Youngster Steps Up as Replacement
While the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has yet to disclose an official reason for Aruna’s withdrawal, they have confirmed his replacement: promising young talent Muiz Adegoke.
Adegoke will now have the challenging but invaluable opportunity to prove himself on the continental stage, competing against Africa’s best players.
Despite the withdrawal of their star player, expectations remain high for the rest of the squad to deliver a strong performance and secure Nigeria’s qualification for the global team event in London. The team’s focus will now shift to its younger generation to fill the void left by the absence of the formidable Quadri Aruna ITTF African Championship veteran.
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