Brian Kasirye continued with his impressive form at the All Africa Individual championships, which started today at the MTN Arena Lugogo Stadium in Uganda. The Algerian captain, and the 2017 African Champion, Adel Hamek, fresh from the Thomas Cup, started the match well, turning and twisting the agile Brian Kasirye to take the first game 22-20, but this was not enough to stop the indomitable Kasirye. He came back stronger in the second game, destroying Adel’s defence and grip at the net to cruise through to the third game 21-10. The third game was a walk in the park for the confident Kasirye, confirming why he is a serious contender for the Gold Medal in this tournament. He took the game 21-13 to qualify for the Round of 16.
” I am happy about my win since it was my first time to play Adel. He is a good player, technically, and he has access to better facilities, but I am a stronger, fitter, player of the two of us. I am happy I was able to use this to my advantage.
“My teammates, family, and sponsors have great expectations of me, and I am hoping to perform even better since I am playing on home soil. Said Brian Kasirye.
The much-anticipated game between the All Africa Under 19 Bronze medallist, Fadilah Shamika, and Gold Medallist, Nour Youssri lived up to its full expectation. In the just concluded Under 19 championships held in Benin, Fadilah contracted Covid-19 and didn’t get to play at the finals as predicted. Nour went ahead to win the coveted Gold medal.
” I was unlucky in Benin to get Covid, but I am happy as luck would have it. I have got another chance to play the Champion. Said Fadilah
Nour took time to settle in the first game, making mistakes that Shamika capitalized on to take the first game 21-18. The second game was even tough as both players brought their A-game characterized with long rallies. An emotional Nour Youssri played her heart out, but it was not her day as Fadilah buoyed by the support of her fellow teammates, was more focused and hungry for the win taking the game 21-19.
” I greatly reduced the errors I made in the first game and I was holding the shuttle more which made me more confident. I hope I will carry on playing like this against other opponents.” She added
In other matches of the day, Kalombo Mulenga of Zambia proved to be a tough nut for Ugandan Israel Wanagalya to break losing to the latter 2-0 as the seed 1of the tournament, Julien Paul, the top seed in Men’s Singles, from Mauritius cruised past the inexperienced Mutombo Tshizanga of DR Congo 2-0. The hard Algerian hitter Abderrahime Belarbi took no prisoners as he demolished Zambia’s Mwanza Edward 2-0. Talented Emuddu Expedito from Uganda played well against Adham Hatem of Egypt forcing the veteran to bring his A-game to win 2-0.
The tournament will continue tomorrow 27 October with the pre-quarters and quarter-finals. The semi-finals and finals will be played on Thursday 28 October.
