Ghana’s Golden Shuttlers have missed out on a place in the final of the Mixed Team Relay at the 2026 All Africa U-19 Badminton Championship after losing 2-1 to Algeria in the semi-finals in Cairo, Egypt.
The Ghanaian team, hoping to defend the title they won previously, put up a strong fight but narrowly lost the deciding game to settle for the bronze medal.
The Golden Shuttlers entered the semi-finals with confidence following an impressive 2-0 victory over hosts Egypt in the quarter-finals, while Algeria booked their place in the last four after recording a 2-0 win over Uganda.
Ghana and Algeria both started the semi-final with their sights set on reaching the final and maintaining their momentum ahead of the individual events.
Algeria took the first game 55-46, putting Ghana under early pressure.
The Golden Shuttlers, however, responded strongly in the second game, showing resilience to level the contest with a 55-48 victory and force a deciding third game.
The final game went down to the wire. Algeria established an early 44-33 lead, but Ghana fought back strongly and reduced the deficit as the game reached its closing stages.
Despite the determined comeback, the Golden Shuttlers fell just one point short, losing the decider 55-54 as Algeria secured a 2-1 victory.
The result means Ghana will settle for bronze in the Mixed Team Relay, while attention now turns to the individual events, where the Golden Shuttlers will look to make another strong impression.
Ghana’s team is made up of four girls,, Racheal Quarcoo, Moslena Adu, Margaret Sarpei and Alana Faith Sullo and three boys, Francis Obeng Shang, Obabompa Adu Mintah and Samuel Amasah.
The team is being guided by coaches Evans Yeboah and Jessica Lomotey.
Despite missing out on the final, the Golden Shuttlers’ run to the semi-finals included victories over Mauritius and hosts Egypt, giving Ghana a bronze medal and another opportunity to compete for honours in the individual events.
By: Victoria Kwofie
