Israel Aklie Leads Ghana to Thrilling Victory Over World No.1 in Under-15 Clash

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Jul 29, 2025

By Kwame Larweh

The Black Loopers continue to make their mark at the ongoing Ping Pong Championships in Nigeria.

In a tense and captivating contest, Ghana’s Under-15 Boys’ team secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the team led by highly-rated Joseph Sebastian. The match was part of the team event featuring sides from Ghana (GHA), Uganda (UGA), and Algeria (ALG).

Aklie Shines Once Again

Israel Aklie once again proved instrumental for Team Ghana. He began by defeating Uganda’s Nsereko Sharif in four sets (11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5). He followed up with a thrilling five-set victory over Joseph Sebastian, edging the match 3-2 with scores of (9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8).

Joseph Sebastian’s Standout Performance

Despite the loss, Joseph Sebastian — reportedly the world number one in this age category — showcased his talent. He comfortably defeated Prince Aklie 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-8), and pushed Israel Aklie to the limit in their intense five-set showdown.

Team Standings

Ghana currently tops the group standings with three wins, while Uganda follows with one victory to their name.

Thrills in the Under-15 Boys’ Event

The Under-15 Boys’ Team event has been packed with action and unpredictability, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. With momentum on Ghana’s side, all eyes are on whether Sebastian’s team can regroup, or if the Black Loopers will maintain their winning form.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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