The final at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall went down to a battle of the two seeds, as Assar and home favourite Quadri Aruna won their semi-final matches in four straight games.

Both men traded early blows with the recently crowned African champion Assar taking the first game 12-10 before Aruna hit back winning the next two 15-13 and 11-7.

Aruna was unable to wrestle the title from Assar, however, as the Egyptian battled back winning the next three games 11-8 to secure the victory.

"It was a difficult match for me because at the start of the match, I was disturbed by the noise from the fans," Assar said.

"However, as the match progressed I adjusted and I started playing normally and my tactics began to work.

"I am so happy that I was able to defend my title and having the record of winning it three times."

Dina Meshref tasted defeat in the women's singles but claimed victory in the doubles ©AFP/Getty Images



The women's singles saw Portugal's Shao Jieni defeat Egypt's newly-crowned African champion Dina Meshref in a dramatic seven game battle.

Jieni found herself trailing 3-2, but took the match to a decider after winning the sixth game 13-11, before earning the title with an 11-8 win in the final game.

The two women joined forces to claim victory in the women's doubles competition overcoming Nigeria's Cecilia Akpan and Offiong Edem 13-11, 11-7, 13-15, 11-2.

There was home success as, despite falling to defeat in the men's singles final, Aruna tasted victory in the doubles alongside fellow Nigerian Makanjuola Kazeem.

The duo took gold at January's African Championships and added to that crown as they overcame Portuguese pairing of André Silva and Diogo Silva 11-6, 11-8, 11-9.

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