The Uganda national badminton team opened their 2025 All Africa Senior Badminton Championships campaign with a win over Reunion.
However, the 4-1 victory in the mixed team games played in Douala, Cameroon, celebrations were short-lived as the team quickly shifted focus to today’s opponent, South Africa.
As one of the teams to beat in the ongoing championships in West Africa, South Africa swept Reunion 5-0 to top Group C ahead of Uganda.
Head Coach Ivan Karimunda’s team will have to double their efforts and take the game to South Africa, especially in the singles encounters.
Husina Kobugabe shines on Day One
Yesterday afternoon, Husina Kobugabe competed in two doubles events, emerging victorious with her partners on both occasions.
Kobugabe teamed up with Muzafaru Lubega in a mixed doubles encounter to defeat Thibaud Cougouille and Emmanuelle Admette 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) in 45 minutes.
She returned to the court with Gladys Mbabazi in the women’s doubles against Admette and Lepetit Mathilde. They secured a hard-fought 2-1 (17-21, 22-20, 21-8) win after losing the first set.
In the men’s doubles, Lubega and Augustus Owiny lost to Assing Aaron and Chan Fung Ting Xavier 0-2 (9-21, 17-21) in 26 minutes, the only slip of the day.
In the women’s singles, Uganda won both its games, with Fadilah Shamika easing past Lepetit 2-0 (21-10, 21-7) in just 34 minutes.
Kenneth Comfort Mwambu also neutralized Nanicaoudin Loic Antoine 2-0 (21-18, 21-16) in the men’s singles to complete the 4-1 victory over Reunion.
