There was a major upset at the African Table Tennis Championship in Benghazi, Libya, as Algeria’s Medhi Bouloussa stunned Nigeria’s four-time continental champion Quadri Aruna to book a place in his first-ever African Championship final.
Bouloussa produced a composed and fearless performance to defeat the Nigerian star 4-3 in a gripping semifinal encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The Algerian took the first two games 11-9 and 11-6 to race into an early lead, before Aruna responded strongly to claim the third set 11-8.
Bouloussa regained control by winning the fourth game 11-7, but the experienced Nigerian fought back again, taking the fifth and sixth sets 11-8 and 11-8 to level the match.
In a tense deciding seventh game, Bouloussa showed remarkable composure, edging Aruna 11-7 to seal a historic victory and confirm his place in the final.
Final Score:
4-3 (11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7)
The result ends Quadri Aruna’s quest for another continental title and marks a breakthrough moment for Bouloussa, who will now compete in his maiden African Championship final in Benghazi.
