Algeria men shuttle their way to record fifth team title; South Africa women triumph

Algeria won a record-extending fifth straight men’s team title at the All-Africa Men’s & Women’s Team Championships 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana, on Thursday.

The Algerians were pushed all the way by Mauritius, who eventually lost the tie in the fifth match, with Algeria’s men’s doubles duo Adel Hamek/Koceila Mammeri seeing them through.

In the women’s team championships, South Africa retained their title beating Egypt 3-1 to win their seventh title overall.

The Algeria-Mauritius men’s team final was a thriller all the way. After Hamek had given the Algerians the lead in men’s singles, Georges Julien Paul levelled for Mauritius, holding off Mohamed Aberrahime Belarbi in three games. Khemtish Rai Nundah then pulled off an upset over Koceila Mammeri in a tight finish to put Mauritius ahead.

The first men’s doubles was a thriller, with Julien Paul/Lucas Douce going down by the narrowest of margins to Belarbi/Youcef Sabri Medel 22-20 22-20.

In the second men’s doubles, Hamek and Mammeri fell behind, but fought back to beat Jean Bernard Bongout/Nundah in three games to win the memorable tie for Algeria.

Losing semifinalists Egypt and Zambia were joint bronze medallists.

Zambia were the revelation of the tournament as they beat Nigeria 3-1 in the quarterfinals and proved difficult opponents for Mauritius in the semifinals. Kalombo Mulenga won his singles and doubles (with Chongo Ezra Mulenga) to keep Zambia in the tie until the fifth match.

South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz won her singles and doubles with Amy Ackerman to down Egypt 3-1. Pics: Badmintonphoto

In the women’s team championships, South Africa rode to the title in relatively comfortable fashion, beating Algeria 3-0 in the semifinals and Egypt 3-1 in the final.

Johanita Scholtz gave South Africa the lead beating Nour Ahmed Youssri in the opening clash before Elme De Villiers made it 2-0. Egypt struck back through Fatema Rabie in the third singles over Amy Ackerman, but Ackerman returned for the women’s doubles with Scholtz and the women’s doubles duo needed just 25 minutes to beat Nour Ahmed Youssri/Doha Hany 21-12 21-14.

Losing semifinalists Nigeria and Algeria won bronze.

(Source: bwfbadminton.com)