🇪🇬 REIGNING CHAMPIONS EGYPT BLITZ FIELD FOR AFRICAN MEN’S TEAM SABRE GOLD

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST — 4 JUNE 2026

World number 9 Egypt put on an absolute masterclass in offensive speed and tactical depth on the fourth day of the 24th African Fencing Championships, successfully retaining their men's team sabre continental title. Comprising an elite roster of individual silver medallist Ziad Elsissy, individual bronze medallist Mohamed Amer, individual champion Ahmed Hesham, and individual bronze medallist Adham Moataz, the top-seeded Egyptian lineup lived up to their heavyweight status by dismantling Algeria 45–16 in the final.

The gold medal marks an unblemished continuation of Egypt’s total monopoly over the African sabre circuit.

Algeria upgraded their 2024 continental bronze to a silver medal following an excellent tournament run, while Senegal captured the bronze to relegate Niger to fourth place.

Path to the Podium

Egypt (World number 9) entered the five-team draw as the overwhelming favorites and treated the Abidjan crowds to a completely dominant athletic exhibition. After receiving a first-round bye, they opened their campaign by ruthlessly picking apart Senegal 45–21 in the semi-finals. In the gold medal clash, the Egyptians faced a spirited Algerian squad that held their own early, keeping the deficit to a manageable 15–9 after three legs. From there, the Egyptian wall slammed shut; Egypt's middle-rotation trio restricted Algeria to just two hits over the next three bouts, storming away to cross the finish line with a 45–16 victory.

Algeria (World number 29) earned a well-deserved silver medal, signaling an impressive year-on-year developmental leap. The athletic lineup of Akram Bounabi, Lotfi Ibrihen, Zacharia Bounachada, and Gabriel McCarthy secured a first-round bye before demonstrating great collective rhythm in the semi-finals, easily cruising past a resilient Niger squad with a clinical 45–19 victory to secure their final berth.

Senegal (World number 53) rebounded brilliantly from their heavy semi-final defeat to storm the podium with an exceptionally disciplined performance. The trio of Famara Diame, Moustapha Mbaye, and Code Thiam began their day by routing host nation Ivory Coast 45–14 in the quarter-finals. In the bronze medal match against Niger, the Senegalese squad was entirely flawless. They built a rapid 15–6 lead after three legs, highlighted by a dominant 5–0 shutout from Thiam against Boulkassoum Mounkaila Abdou. Thiam and Mbaye executed two more 5–0 clean sweeps in the sixth and seventh legs respectively, powering Senegal to a comfortable 45–16 triumph.

Niger (World number 34) secured a highly commendable fourth-place finish, demonstrating tremendous potential at the continental level. The squad—featuring Rouchdy Assimi Imorou, Ali Djimbo Issoufou, and Boulkassoum Mounkaila Abdou—received a bye into the semi-finals. While they ultimately found themselves out-gunned by the tactical refinement of Algeria and Senegal, their high-energy teamwork anchored a proud top-four championship campaign.

Full results here.