All Africa Senior Badminton Championships 2026
Day 2 | Afternoon Sessions – 10 February
Royal Aria Gymnasium, Gaborone
Day 2 of the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships continued with a full afternoon programme at the Royal Aria Gymnasium, beginning at 12:00pm and followed by another intense session at 15:00pm. With group stage positions becoming clearer, teams understood that every tie now carries weight, not just for qualification to knockout stage, but for confidence and momentum.
The afternoon delivered dominance, discipline, and in one case, a tie decided by the finest margins.
12:00 PM – Women’s Team Session
Cameroon open strongly against Zambia (Group B)
Cameroon set the tone early in the afternoon session with a composed and convincing team performance against Zambia. From the first singles match, they played with authority, moving well on court and maintaining control of rallies.
What stood out was Cameroon’s structure. Their singles players were patient but decisive, while the doubles pairs showed clear communication and trust in each other’s roles. The opening match, which ended 21–3, 21–11, immediately gave the team confidence and rhythm.
Post-match interview – Madeleine Carene Leticia Akoumba Ze (Cameroon):
“We came into this tie knowing Zambia would fight for every point. For us, the key was to stay disciplined and not rush. Even when we lead, we try to keep the same level of focus. This championship is about consistency. Every match helps us grow stronger as a team. We believe in our preparation, and we want to show that Cameroon women’s badminton is improving step by step.”
Mauritius continue their momentum against Lesotho (Group A)
On Court 2, Mauritius delivered another mature team performance. From the beginning, they controlled the tempo and showed strong depth across all positions.
The singles matches were direct and confident, while the doubles pairs played with good understanding and variation. One of the singles matches finished 21–2, 21–2, highlighting the level of control the Mauritian players had throughout the tie.
Beyond the scoreline, what impressed was the calm approach. There was no unnecessary celebration — just focus and execution.
Post-match interview – Tiya Bhurtun (Mauritius):
“We are taking it match by match. It’s important not to look too far ahead. Today we focused on our own performance, movement, communication, and staying positive on court. Even when matches look comfortable, we remind ourselves to respect the opponent and the game. The goal is not only to win, but to improve with every tie.”
Nigeria maintain intensity against Zimbabwe (Group C)
Nigeria’s women showed once again why they are considered one of the strong contenders in the competition. Facing Zimbabwe, they played with speed and sharp attacking intent.
Their singles players controlled rallies early, and the doubles combinations were aggressive at the net. The energy from the Nigerian bench was constant, pushing the players to maintain intensity until the final shuttle.
The tie reflected a team that is clear about its objectives.
Algeria composed against hosts Botswana (Group A)
On Court 4, Algeria displayed balance and discipline in their encounter against Botswana. The singles matches were controlled, with good variation in pace and placement.
In doubles, the Algerian pairs moved efficiently and applied steady pressure. Their approach was measured, no panic, no rush, just structured badminton built on experience.
15:00 PM – Pressure Rises Across Courts
As the second afternoon session began at 15:00pm, the atmosphere inside Royal Aria Gymnasium became more intense. Group standings were beginning to take shape, and some ties carried significant weight.
South Africa dominant in Men’s Team tie against Lesotho (Group D)
South Africa’s men stepped onto Court 1 with clarity and purpose. From the opening singles, they imposed their rhythm and controlled the exchanges.
The doubles combinations were especially sharp, finishing points quickly and maintaining strong court positioning. The team performance reflected depth and preparation, qualities that will be crucial as the tournament progresses.
Egypt overcome Cameroon in high-quality Women’s Team clash (Group B)
One of the most competitive ties of the afternoon took place on Court 2 between Egypt and Cameroon in the Women’s Team event.
While Egypt secured the overall victory, several matches were closely contested. The second singles went to three games, showing Cameroon’s fighting spirit. In doubles, the first pair pushed Egypt hard before Egypt closed it out in three games as well.
The tie highlighted Egypt’s ability to manage pressure moments.
Post-match interview – Hana Tarek Zaher (Egypt):
“Cameroon played very well today. Some matches were not easy at all. When a match goes to three games, it becomes more about mental strength. We told ourselves to stay calm and trust our system. The important thing is how you respond under pressure. We are happy with the win, but we know the level will keep rising.”
Botswana energise the home crowd against Lesotho (Women’s Team – Group A)
Botswana gave their supporters something to cheer about with a confident performance in the Women’s Team tie against Lesotho.
Playing at home brings its own pressure, but Botswana handled it well. The players looked comfortable, especially in doubles where coordination and movement were clean and effective.
The energy from the stands added an extra boost, and the team responded with focus and determination.
South Africa edge Nigeria in thriller tie (Women’s Team – Group C)
The most dramatic tie of the afternoon unfolded on Court 4, where South Africa faced Nigeria in a closely fought Women’s Team contest that ended 3–2.
Both teams exchanged victories in singles, with each side showing strong individual performances. The doubles matches ultimately decided the outcome, with South Africa holding their nerve in key moments.
The final match carried visible tension, as every rally felt decisive.
Post-match interview – Johanita Scholtz (South Africa):
“This was a tough tie. Nigeria is a very strong team, and we knew it would go down to small details. In matches like this, you have to stay emotionally controlled. Even when we lost a match, we stayed united on the bench. That team spirit made the difference. These are the kind of matches that prepare you for the later stages.”
Day 2 Moving Forward
With the afternoon sessions completed, the group stage picture is becoming clearer across both the Women’s and Men’s Team events. Some teams have confirmed their authority, while others have shown strength under pressure.
As the championship continues in Gaborone, the intensity is expected to increase further. The Royal Aria Gymnasium has already witnessed intense moments and the tournament is far from over.
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