Dakar 2026 YOG: Kuti bounces back with victory over Tunisian opponent

Nigeria’s Matthew Kuti revived his hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the men’s singles table tennis event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli on Sunday.

The Nigerian recovered from an opening-day defeat to Hong Kong’s Li Ki Ho to beat Aidli 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, keeping his campaign alive at the Dakar Expo Centre in Senegal.

Kuti, Nigeria’s deputy captain and reigning African Youth Cup champion, had endured a difficult start to his Group C campaign, losing 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-3) to Li, whose attacking game proved too strong for the Nigerian.

However, he responded positively against Aidli, winning the first two games before the Tunisian reduced the deficit by taking the third. Kuti regained control in the fourth game to seal an important victory.

The result leaves the Nigerian needing one more win to secure qualification for the knockout stage, with his final group match against Italy’s Francesco Travesan scheduled for Monday.

The top two players in the four-man group will advance to the next round.

Speaking after his victory, Kuti acknowledged the quality of opposition at the Games but expressed confidence in his ability to overcome the Italian.

“It has not been easy for us here in Dakar because everybody is at their best and we are all aiming for the knockout stage. I hope I can raise my game against the Italian,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kuti and his compatriot, Favour Ojo, suffered an early exit from the mixed doubles event after losing to their Thai opponents in the round of 16 on Saturday.

Ojo also failed to progress in the women’s singles event after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Egypt’s Yara Elbadawy in her second group match.

The loss followed her opening group-stage defeat, ending her hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

With Ojo’s campaign over, attention will now turn to Kuti’s decisive encounter against Travesan as the Nigerian seeks to keep his medal hopes alive in Dakar.