Ghana’s Golden Shuttlers have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Mixed Team Relay at the ongoing 2026 All Africa U-19 Junior Championship in Cairo after defeating hosts Egypt 2-0 in the quarter-finals yesterday.
The Ghanaian quartet of Moslena Ama Korama Adu, Obabompa Adu Mintah, Francis Obeng and Racheal Quarcoo showed determination and composure to secure a 55-51 victory in the opening game.
Facing a hostile home crowd at the Cairo International Stadium Indoor Hall, the quartet maintained their composure in the second game and took early control, briefly silencing the Egyptian supporters.
The hosts, however, fought back midway through the game as fatigue began to affect the Ghanaian side due to the numerical disadvantage. The Egyptians capitalised on the situation to close the gap and pile pressure on the Ghanaians.
With the President of Ghana Badminton, Mr Evans Yeboah, serving as head coach in the absence of the team’s coaches, who are yet to join the squad in Egypt, the duo of Moslena Adu and Racheal Quarcoo held their nerve in the closing stages to secure a 55-52 victory.
The win completed a 2-0 victory over the hosts and sent Ghana into the semi-finals, keeping alive their hopes of defending the title they won in Senegal two years ago.
Ghana will face Algeria on 28th September for a place in the final.
Earlier in the day, the Ghanaian team defeated Mauritius 2-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals.
An elated Mr Yeboah praised the team’s fighting spirit, saying that overcoming the host nation in front of a strongly supportive home crowd was no easy feat.
He also expressed excitement about the team’s performance, attributing the result to the hard work put in during the past six weeks of training.
“This is a well-organised, determined and composed team. Their posture really played a huge part in the success achieved today. They followed the tactics for the day, which were to take our chances, reduce errors and keep the pressure on,” he said.
