Third seed Lorna Bodha of Mauritus was stunned by Algeria’s Malak Ouchefoun in the first round ©Getty Images

Third seed Lorna Bodha of Mauritius was the biggest casualty on the first day of singles competition at the All-African Badminton Championships in South Africa.

Bodha was stunned in the opening round by Algeria’s Malak Ouchefoun who secured an impressive 21-17, 21-10 triumph at the John Barrable Hall in Benoni.

She was the only seed to fall in the first round of the women’s singles as top ranked Doha Hany of Egypt cruised to a 21-16, 21-5 victory over Layna Luxmi Chiniah of Mauritius.

There were also straight-game wins for fellow seeds Husina Kobugabe of Uganda, Johanita Scholtz of South Africa, Tanina Violette Mammeri of Algeria, Nour Ahmed Youssri of Egypt and Uganda’s Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi.

Two rounds of matches were completed in the men’s singles as Melvin Appiah and Jean Bernard Bongout of Mauritius, Aaron Assing of Réunion and Mohamed Abderrehime Belardi of Algeria claimed back-to-back victories to reach the last 16.

Egypt's Doha Hany was among the winners on the first day of singles competition in South Africa ©Getty Images
Egypt's Doha Hany was among the winners on the first day of singles competition in South Africa ©Getty Images

All eight seeds were given byes to the second round before avoiding any slip-ups in the second.

Top seed Youcef Sabri Medel of Algeria powered into the third round with a 21-19, 21-11 win against compatriot Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefoun.

South African Robert Summers enjoyed home success, beating Amos Muyanja of Uganda 21-5, 21-12, while Nigeria’s third seed Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori saw off Zimbabwe’s Trinity Chipumho 21-8, 21-9.

Algeria’s Adel Hamek and Zambia’s Kalombo Mulenga, seeded fifth and sixth respectively, were taken to third games before holding their nerve in the deciders.

There were also victories for seeds Brian Kasirya of Uganda, Georges Julien Paul of Mauritius and Adham Hatem Elgamal of Egypt.