Luanda - The National Table Tennis Team was crowned on Friday, in Luanda, champion in men's and runner-up in women's at the Region 5 African Championship, which takes place in the Kilamba Multipurpose Pavilion.
With this double victory in the debut, Angola qualifies for the African Championship, to be played next October, in Ethiopia,
The title of champion in men's singles was obtained by Elizandro André, who beat South African Luke Abrahamas, 3-2, in a tiebreaker, after a 2-2 draw, in the final.
The second place in women's teams was following three defeats (0-3) against the South Africans, who reclaimed the title.
To reach the final, Angola and South Africa defeated Namibia and Botswana, with a 3-0 victory, coincidentally.
The competition continues this Saturday with individual events, for both sexes.
In addition to Angola, teams from South Africa, Botswana and Namibia participate in the regional event.
The National Team is made up of table tennis players Lisandro André, Domingos Manuel, Délcio Cassule, Roberto Fabiano and Luís Mudil, in men.
The female players include Ruth Tavares, Isabel Albino, Eugénia Simões, Kaelane de Sousa and Jerusa Borges.
The two teams are technically guided by Manuel Pimenta.
In history, Angola has already won this event in 2015 in women's team competition, in a sport in which it has been secondary to South Africa, the greatest power on the continent. JAD/MC/DOJ
