Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna is set for an important clash today at the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, as he takes on Sweden’s Anton Källberg.
Källberg is a familiar and formidable opponent—seeking to snap a four-match losing streak and book a spot in the knockout stage for the first time in over a decade.
What’s at stake?
Aruna opened Group 16 with a 3-1 win over Benin’s Abdel-Kader Salifou, overcoming both a stubborn opponent and a nagging hamstring issue.
Källberg, meanwhile, swept Salifou 4-0, placing him atop the group. The winner of today’s clash progresses to the next round.
Recent history isn’t kind to Aruna
Källberg has had the upper hand in all four of their previous encounters, including:
3-1 win (Oct. 2024, China Smash)
3-2 win (Sep. 2024, Macao)
3-0 win (2022 WTT Champions Macao)
Epic 4-3 win (2021 WTT Contender Tunis)
The Swede, ranked world No. 16, has consistently edged Aruna with a mix of power, precision, and strategic adaptability.
But Aruna is not backing down
“I plan to relax on Tuesday and see how it goes,” he said ahead of the clash.
“I lost to him in our last three meetings, but I hope to get my revenge this time.”
Källberg, equally aware of the stakes, said, “We’ve played quite often… I’ll review our past matches and prepare accordingly.”
Other African hopefuls
Hana Goda (EGY) faces Austria’s Sofia Polcanova.
Dina Meshref (EGY) takes on China’s Man Kuai.
Omar Assar (EGY) started strong with a 4-0 win over Cameroon’s Ylane Batix and now faces South Korea’s An Jaehyun.
Eliminated
Egypt’s Mariam Alhodaby and Mohamed El-Beiali
Benin’s Salifou
Cameroon’s Batix
