Ghana's Golden Shuttlers produced a strong performance to defeat hosts Egypt 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Mixed Team Relay at the ongoing 2026 All Africa U-19 Junior Championship in Cairo. The quartet of Moslena Ama Korama Adu, Obabompa Adu Mintah, Francis Obeng, and Racheal Quarcoo battled their way to a 55-51 victory in the first game.
The Ghanaian team maintained their composure in the second game, taking early control and silencing the home fans at the Cairo International Stadium Indoor Hall. However, the Egyptians found their voices midway through the game as fatigue began to affect the Ghanaian side due to the numerical disadvantage, allowing the hosts to close in on the scoreline.
Spurred on by the President of Ghana Badminton, Mr Evans Yeboah, who took on the role of head coach in the absence of the team's coaches, the duo of Moslena Adu and Racheal Quarcoo held on in the final minutes for a 55-52 victory, completing a 2-0 win over the hosts. Mr Yeboah praised the fighting spirit of the team, stating that beating the host nation with all the support in the arena was no easy feat.
The result sends Ghana into the semi-finals, keeping alive their hopes of defending the title they won in Senegal two years ago. They will next face Algeria for a place in the final. The team's victory was a significant achievement, especially considering they secured a 2-0 victory over Mauritius to book their place in the quarter-finals earlier in the day.
Mr Yeboah expressed excitement about the team's performance, which he said was the result of the effort put in over the past six weeks of training. He attributed the team's success to their posture, stating that it played a huge part in the victory achieved. The team followed the tactics for the day, which were to take their chances, reduce errors, and keep the pressure on.
The Golden Shuttlers' performance has been impressive, with the team showing determination and composure throughout the tournament. Their victory over Egypt was a testament to their skill and teamwork. The team's semi-final match against Algeria is expected to be a challenging encounter.
The 2026 All Africa U-19 Junior Championship has seen some exciting performances from various teams, and Ghana's Golden Shuttlers are looking to make a strong impact. With their current form, they are likely to be a team to watch in the tournament. The semi-final match against Algeria will be crucial in determining their chances of winning the title.
Key points
- Ghana's Golden Shuttlers defeated host Egypt 2-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Mixed Team Relay.
- The team's victory was attributed to their strong performance and composure under pressure.
- Ghana will face Algeria in the semi-finals, looking to defend their title won in Senegal two years ago.
