Ghana’s Golden Pair! Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye Stun Egypt to Reach U-15 Mixed Doubles Final at ITTF Africa Youth Championships
The future of Ghana table tennis continues to shine brightly as the nation’s young stars, Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye, produced another thrilling performance to defeat Egypt’s Hussein Eyad and Malak Zaki 3-2 and secure a place in the U-15 Mixed Doubles final at the ongoing ITTF Africa Youth Championships and Africa Cup Accra 2026.
The electrifying semi-final, played on Day Six at the Borteyman Sports Complex, had fans on the edge of their seats as the Ghanaian duo displayed remarkable resilience, composure and fighting spirit to overcome one of Africa’s strongest table tennis nations.
After racing to an emphatic 11-4 victory in the opening game, Aklie and Borteye found themselves under pressure as the Egyptians responded strongly to take the next two games 11-6 and 11-7, moving within one game of the final.
However, backed by a passionate home crowd that refused to stop believing, the Ghanaian youngsters dug deep. They rediscovered their rhythm in the fourth game, winning 11-8 to level the contest before sealing another 11-8 victory in the decisive fifth game, sparking wild celebrations inside the arena.
Semi-final Result (U-15 Mixed Doubles)
Ghana 3-2 Egypt
- Game 1: 11-4
- Game 2: 6-11
- Game 3: 7-11
- Game 4: 11-8
- Game 5: 11-8
The victory adds another memorable chapter to Ghana’s impressive campaign at the continental championship, with the host nation continuing to prove it can compete with Africa’s traditional table tennis powerhouses.
Attention now turns to an exciting U-15 Mixed Doubles final where Ghana will face Nigeria in what promises to be another blockbuster encounter. With both countries boasting immense young talent, table tennis lovers can expect an entertaining battle for continental glory.
Beyond the victory itself, the achievement is a testament to the steady growth of youth table tennis in Ghana. The performances of Israel Aklie and Joanita Borteye reflect the commitment and investment being made in developing the next generation of champions.
Special recognition goes to Coach Robert Amartey, whose guidance has helped nurture these promising athletes, and Ghana Table Tennis Association President Mawuko Afadzinu, whose continued investment in youth development is beginning to bear fruit on the continental stage.
As the championship progresses in Accra, Ghana’s young stars have given supporters every reason to dream. With confidence soaring and the home crowd firmly behind them, Aklie and Borteye will now aim to cap off their remarkable run by bringing the U-15 Mixed Doubles title home.
The journey continues, and the Nation will be watching as its golden pair chase continental gold.