Nigeria's Kuti and Ojo eliminated from Dakar 2026 table tennis

Team Nigeria's campaign in the table tennis event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games concluded on Monday after Matthew Kuti and Favour Ojo lost their final preliminary-round matches. Kuti, Nigeria’s deputy captain, needed a win against Italy’s Francesco Travesan to qualify for the men’s singles knockout stage but lost 3-0, ending his campaign.

He had previously revived his hopes with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli, following an earlier 3-0 defeat to Hong Kong’s Li Ki Ho. Ojo also failed to progress in the women’s singles, suffering her third defeat in the group stage against her opponent from Hong Kong.

The tournament format allowed only the top two players in each group to advance, leaving both Nigerian players outside the qualification places. Their exits mean Nigeria will not have further representation in table tennis, ending the country's hopes of winning a medal in this event.