Benin’s airbadminton team stuns Algeria 60-37 in Uganda opener
Benin opened its Africa AirBadminton Championships campaign with a commanding 60-37 victory over Algeria on September 16 in Entebbe, Uganda. The win sets the stage for a crucial showdown against Tunisia in Group A, where every point will shape the final standings.
Can Benin turn this momentum into a group A triumph?
The Beninese team delivered a flawless start by dominating all four team events. Oswald Fano-Dosh and Carlos Miguel Kpanou kicked things off with a 15-11 win in the men’s doubles, immediately putting the Algerian squad on the back foot.
Gladys Akakpo and Flora Kpogbemabou extended the advantage in the women’s doubles with a 15-6 victory, pushing Benin’s cumulative lead to 30-17 at halftime. The Algerian side managed to trim the deficit in the mixed doubles, but Kpanou, Fano-Dosh, and Julien Totin held firm in the men’s triples to maintain a 45-31 lead.
The final push came from Akakpo, Blessing Atchade, and Kpogbemabou, who closed out the encounter with a strong performance in the women’s triples, sealing the 60-37 victory.
What this win means for Tunisia and Algeria
The result reshuffles the group dynamics. Algeria, despite the loss, had earlier defeated Tunisia 60-52, creating an unexpected three-way battle for the top two spots. Benin now faces Tunisia in a must-win match that could decide who advances to the knockout stages.
With ten Beninese athletes competing across team, doubles, and triples events, the squad has its sights set on Entebbe’s Aero Beach, where 14 nations and over 120 players are vying for continental glory and a spot in the next AirBadminton World Championship.
Why this match is a turning point for African airbadminton
The tournament, running through September 19, serves as a critical qualifier for the world championships. Benin’s performance signals a shift in the competitive landscape, placing African badminton on the global stage. The team’s success could inspire increased investment and participation in the sport across the continent.
As the competition intensifies, all eyes will be on whether Benin can sustain this winning streak and whether Algeria or Tunisia can recover to claim a top-two finish and secure their passage to the next level.
The stakes couldn’t be higher — for pride, ranking points, and the future of African airbadminton.
