Nigerian duo Taiwo Mati and Matthew Kuti have fought their way into the semi-finals of the Men’s Doubles at the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos, giving the country the hope of making the podium in front of a roaring Lagos crowd.
The duo’s journey has been one of grit and determination. In the opening round, they brushed aside their Ghanaian opponents with confidence, setting the tone for what was to come.
The quarter-final brought a more emotional challenge — a clash against fellow Nigerians David Fayele and Amidu Lawal. It was a battle of compatriots, but Mati and Kuti held their nerve, surmounting the challenge to book their place in the last four.
Now, standing between them and a shot at the final are India’s Manav Thakkar and Manush Shah. It is a formidable test, but one that comes with a silver lining: regardless of Saturday’s result, Nigeria is assured of a podium finish.
The Nigerians’ run has rekindled memories of 2024, when Olajide Omotayo and Azeez Solanke carried the nation’s hopes to the final before bowing out to India’s Manav Thakkar and Harmeet Desai. This time, the baton has passed to Mati and Kuti, and they are determined to leave their mark.
For the host nation, this achievement carries weight — it may well be the country’s sole medal at this year’s championship, but it is one earned through resilience and teamwork.
In Lagos, where table tennis passion runs deep, Mati and Kuti’s success is more than just a semi-final berth.
It is a reminder that Nigeria’s doubles tradition remains alive, and that the nation’s players continue to rise to the occasion when the spotlight shines brightest.
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