Winning start for Kenyans as Africa Club Championships serve off at Kasarani

City Eagles of Kenya defeated Vision TTC of Rwanda 3-0 as the 2023 Africa Club Championship served off at the Kasarani Gymnasium.

Brian Mutua of City Eagles defeated Didier Hakibwabasenga of Rwanda Vision TTC by straight sets in a men’s Group B match.

Mutua tormented the Rwandese player from the onset to savor an easy straight sets win on table three.

“It’s such a good feeling to start the tournament with a. win. I didn’t struggle much as I took the game to the Rwandese player (Hakibwabasenga) from the word go. He was not a threat at all, but then again, it’s still early days. But Egyptians will be the guys to beat in this tournament,” said Mutua.

In another match, Kenya’s City Eagles women’s team lost 0-3 to Uganda’s Nakasero TTC on table five.

 Lisa Wele of Kenya lost 2-3 to Jemimah Nakawala of Uganda’s Nakasero TTC in a women’s Group B match.

Both players were tied one-all after the first two sets but Ugandan Nakawala dominated the last set to pull through in the pulsating encounter.

Kenya’s Audrey Oronde lost 0-3 Nangonzi Parvin of Nakasero Club of Uganda.

Egyptian teams registered early wins with defending champions men’s champions Enppi beating Djibouti’s Cotes 3-0. Petrojet ladies team from Egypt defeated Nairobi City 3-0.

This year’s Club championship has attracted seven men’s and six women’s teams. Lsst year’s men’s champions Enppi of Egypt and the tournament favorites.

Egypt has two teams in the championship with the four member Petrojet side also hoping to clinch the coveted title.

Last year’s championship was played in Lagos where top teams in the continent took part.

The club championship will be followed by the ITTF -Africa Cup on May 4-6 as part of the world cup qualifiers.