by Ian Marshall, Editor

Christ Bientaki emerged the Men’s Singles champion; in the later rounds he accounted for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Christian Ngeleka (11-7, 11-7, 15-13, 11-8) and Gedeon Kassa (12-10, 13-15, 14-12, 11-4, 11-8), prior to securing the title at the final expense of Togo’s Desire Akakpo (11-8, 15-13, 4-11, 12-10, 11-9).

In the opposite half of the draw, at the quarter-final stage Desire Akakpo had ousted Angola’s André Elizandro (11-9, 11-7, 11-13, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7), prior to recording a penultimate round success in opposition to Camreroon’s Derek Nyoh (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8).

Success for Christ Bienatiki; in the counterpart Women’s Singles event it was success for Amma Litobaka. She secured the title by overcoming colleague Cynthian Nzangani (10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-9, 12-10), having in the latter stages accounted for Angola’s Ruth Tavares (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4) and Togo’s Eli Amegee (11-7, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5) to reserve her place in the final.

An impressive journey en route to the final, for Cynthian Nzangani it was somewhat similar, she accounted for colleagues Flavia Kimbu (11-13, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4, 11-7) and Dacha Mongondi (11-6, 8-11, 13-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6) to reach deciding contest.

Meanwhile, in the Junior Boys’ Singles event, the Democratic Republic of the Congo proved dominant; they provided both finalists. Christian Mbongia overcame Noredi Bongo (11-5, 11-8, 11-8) to secure the title after having ousted colleague Exauce Ngefuasa (8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10) one round earlier. In the counterpart penultimate round contest, Noredi Bongo had halted the progress of Republic of Congo’s Regis Kiassi (8-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10).

A straight games success for Christian Mbongia at the final hurdle; it was the same in the Junior Girls’ Singles competition for Francelle Gamago. She ended the hopes of the host nation by overcoming Davina Luzolo in the semi-finals (12-10, 11-7, 11-13, 11-7) and Ruth Ntela in the final (11-4, 11-7, 11-5). In the adjacent penultimate round contest, Ruth Netala had ousted compatriot, Veronique Imbi (7-11, 11-9, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7).

Honours shared but more importantly, an event to promote that can only be for the good of the sport in the region, was concluded successfully.

2018 Central African Championships: Results – Junior Boys’ Singles, Junior Girls’ Singles

2018 Central African Championships: Results – Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles