The atmosphere at the Royal Aria Indoor Sports Centre in Gaborone reached another level of intensity as the semi-finals of the All Africa Individual Championships 2026 delivered high-quality badminton, emotional moments, and decisive performances.
With places in the finals at stake, players showed courage, determination, and mental strength across all five events. Every rally mattered, and every point carried the weight of a continental dream.
Men’s Singles: Egypt and Mauritius Secure Final Spots
Second seed A. Elgamal of Egypt produced a composed and disciplined performance to defeat Mauritian third seed Lucas Douce in straight games, 21-14, 21-13. Elgamal controlled the pace from the start, mixing sharp attacks with patience to keep Douce under pressure throughout the match.
The second semi-final created excitement for Mauritian supporters as compatriots Jean Bernard Bongout and Georges Paul faced each other for a place in the final. Bongout delivered one of his strongest performances of the tournament, winning convincingly 21-8, 21-8 to book his place in the championship match.
Women’s Singles: Uganda and South Africa Set Up Final Clash
Top seed F. Mohamed Rafi of Uganda had to fight hard against Algeria’s Y. Chibah. After losing the first game, the Ugandan showed resilience and tactical maturity to turn the match around, winning 16-21, 21-13, 21-15.
In the second semi-final, South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz demonstrated her experience against Egypt’s Nour Ahmed Youssri. In a demanding three-game encounter, Scholtz secured victory 18-21, 23-21, 21-14, earning her place in the final after nearly an hour of intense badminton.
Men’s Doubles: Zambia and Algeria Advance
The Zambian brothers Chongo Mulenga and Kalombo Mulenga delivered a strong performance to defeat Egypt’s pair Ali Bahnsawy / Ezzat 21-16, 15-21, 21-10. Their power and coordination proved decisive in the third game.
Top seeds Koceila Mammeri and Youcef Medel of Algeria confirmed their status with a confident 21-16, 21-8 victory over Mauritius’ Bongout / Paul, securing another final appearance for the Algerian duo.
Women’s Doubles: South Africa and Egypt Progress
Top seeds Amy Ackerman and Johanita Scholtz of South Africa showed excellent control to defeat Uganda’s Mohamed Rafi / Naluwuza 21-16, 21-10, continuing their impressive run in the tournament.
The second semi-final provided drama as Egypt’s Nour Ahmed Youssri and Doha Hany recovered after losing the opening game to Algeria’s Chibah / Mazri. The Egyptians raised their level significantly to win 20-22, 21-11, 21-9 and secure their place in the final.
Mixed Doubles: Algeria and South Africa Reach Final
Top seeds Koceila Mammeri and Tanina Mammeri of Algeria were dominant in their semi-final, defeating Nigeria’s Aliyu / Obasanmi 21-12, 21-7 with speed and precision.
The final semi-final of the day was one of the most competitive matches, with South Africa’s Caitlin Kakora and Amy Ackerman overcoming Egypt’s Elgamal / Hany 19-21, 21-18, 21-16 after a strong comeback performance.
A Stage Set for Championship Day
By mid-day, the finalists were confirmed across all events, setting up what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the Individual Championships. The level of badminton continues to rise, with players showing not only technical quality but also strong mental determination.
With continental titles now within reach, the stakes are higher than ever.
Stay tuned for the Finals this afternoon, where Africa’s best will compete for gold and glory at the All Africa Championships 2026 in Gaborone.
