Playing as hosts to the rest of Africa and hosting the event for the first time in the history of the African Games, the senior national table tennis team of Ghana have started on a very good note.
Four out of the five female players have qualified to the round of 32 with the only loss coming from Juanita Borteye to Egyptian star Mariam Alhodaby.
Celia Baah-Danso defeated Nasimuyu Lisa of Kenya by 3-0 (11-6, 11-4 and 11-8). Bernice Borley Borquaye had a walkover over Loretta Davis of Liberia. Eva Adom-Amankwaa beat Isabel Alibino of Angola 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 11-5, 3-11 and 19-17) while Cynthia Kwabi beat Sifa Nafula 3-0 (11-3, 11-2, 11-4) to advance to the round of 32.
In the round of 32, Celia Baah-Danso will lock horns with Malissa Nasri of Algeria while Bernice Borley Borquaye squares it off with former African Champion Sarah Hanffou of Cameroon. Eva Adom- Amankwaa faces Hanitra Raharimanana of Madagascar. Cynthia Kwabi will play Ruth Tavares of Angola.
The male team has also chalked successes with Emmanuel Commey and Samuel Akayade Advancing to the round of 32.
By Nathaniel Kwesi Somuah, Ghana Table Tennis Association