South Africa had to come from behind, but when the final point was played in Cairo, they were the ones celebrating.
The Team Relay final against Algeria began with the home of African junior badminton witnessing a strong start from the Algerian side. Oussama Keddou defeated Aiden Dednam 11–3 in men’s singles before Chiraz Halimi and Rahma Aya Salem extended Algeria’s advantage in women’s doubles, reaching 22–16 against Chloe Lai and Yiwen Li. Ayoub Rayan Daoud and Oussama Keddou then made it 33–28 in men’s doubles, before Halimi added another nine-point advantage in women’s singles against Yiwen Li. Algeria completed the opening sequence at 55–42 after Keddou and Halimi won the mixed doubles against Ricardo Vigario and Chloe Lai.
South Africa, however, stayed within reach.
Keddou opened the second sequence with another men’s singles win over Misha Bredell, but Chloe Lai and Yiwen Li responded in women’s doubles. Algeria still led 33–31 after men’s doubles, but Yiwen Li then brought South Africa closer in women’s singles, reaching 44 points against Algeria’s 41. Vigario and Lai then delivered an important mixed doubles victory, taking South Africa to 55 while Algeria finished on 49.
The gap had fallen from 13 points to just six.
The third sequence would decide everything.
Keddou again gave Algeria a narrow advantage in men’s singles, reaching 11 points to Bredell’s 10. South Africa then began to take control. Lai and Li moved to 22–17 in women’s doubles, followed by Bredell and Vigario taking men’s doubles 33–22. Li extended the South African lead to 44–31 in women’s singles, leaving the mixed doubles as the final match of the championship.
Vigario and Lai returned to face Keddou and Halimi. This time, South Africa had the momentum, and they finished the final sequence at 55–41.
The comeback was complete. South Africa won the Team Relay final 2–1 and were crowned African U-19 Team Relay champions.
For the South African players, the title was the result of a team effort. Aiden Dednam opened the final in men’s singles, Misha Bredell competed in men’s singles and men’s doubles, while Chloe Lai and Yiwen Li carried responsibilities across singles and doubles. Ricardo Vigario also played a key role in the doubles events, including the final mixed doubles match that completed South Africa’s comeback.
After the celebrations, South Africa coach Dillan spoke to BCA TV about what the victory meant to the team.
“I am extremely happy today. We have trained very hard for this moment, and the players showed great character throughout the final. To come back after being behind and finish as champions is something we can all be very proud of.”
South Africa had been 13 points behind after the opening sequence. They did not panic. They kept fighting, kept returning to the court and gradually turned the final around.
In Cairo, that persistence brought them the African U-19 Team Relay title.
