Ghana’s hopes to defend their Mixed Team Relay at the ongoing 2026 All Africa U-19 Badminton Championship in Cairo, Egypt were dashed yesterday after falling 2-1 to Algeria in the semi-finals.
The defending champions represented by Francis Obeng-Shang, Obabompa Adu Mintah, Samuel Amasah, Racheal Quarcoo, Moslena Ama Korama Adu, Margaret Sarpei and Alana Faith Sullo entered the semi-final game in a very buoyant mood following an impressive 2-0 victory over hosts Egypt in the quarter-finals.
But it was the Algerians that won the first game 55-46 after putting Ghana under early pressure.
The Golden Shuttlers got their groove back in the second game, combining incessant pressure and resilience to level the contest with a 55-48 victory and forced the contest into a play-off.
The Algerians who enjoyed support from the home crowd, established an early 44-33 lead, but the Ghanaians fought back strongly and reduced the deficit as the game reached its closing stages.
Both teams were locked at 54 points apiece, needing just one point to seal victory. Sadly, a last serve from star man Obeng-Shang went off court, handing victory to the Algerians.
The result means, Ghana settles for bronze.
The team will now shift attention to the men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles events to build up points for the African rankings as well as the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
The team will also compete for honours at the global BWF World Junior Championships from October 5-17 also in Cairo.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
You can now read the *Ghanaian Times* and *The Spectator* newspapers digitally on [TimesNewsPlus](https://timesnewsplus.com/newspapers).
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
