by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF Member Relations Press Officer

Furthermore, in the women’s team event that decision was more than substantiated; the teenager responded and responded in style.

Significantly, in the final against Nigeria, she beat the experienced 34-year-old Offiong Edem (11-8, 13-15, 11-5, 11-6).

An excited Goda could not hide her joy of contributing to Egypt’s 3-0 success.

“I never knew I would be playing in the final until the morning when Dina Meshref told me I would be playing and that I would play the first game against Edem. When we started the match I was really enjoying myself, particularly after winning the first game. I was full of confidence after taking a 10-5 lead in the second game. But I was surprised that my opponent could come back to win the game. Usually when I lose a game, it is always difficult for me to get back into the match. However, on getting back to the third game, I started gaining my confidence back, which really helped me to win the match.” Hana Goda

Considered to some extent the second-in-command to Dina Meshref in the Egyptian team, Hana Goda described the victory over Edem as a morale booster for her going into other events at the championships.

“I am here to do my best and take each game as they come. Hopefully, I can win more titles in Cameroon, my first ITTF African Championships.” Hana Goda

The precision and confidence of both her play and self-analysis of her performance are simply out of this world.