Eltahhan Wins Maiden African Snooker Title

Basem Eltahhan defeated fellow Egyptian Wael Talaat in the final to win the 2017 ABSF African Snooker Championship.

Held at the Laico Hotel in Hammamet, Tunisia and organised by the African Billiards and Snooker Federation, a total of 60 players representing six different nations took part in this year’s continental competition, although the latter stages heavily featured Egyptian cueists, with 10 of the last 16 from that particular country.

After coming through the groups stage and earlier knockout rounds, Eltahhan dethroned defending champion Peter Francisco in the semi-final, and in a lengthy final that went all the way, Eltahhan got the better of another ex-professional and three-time African champion in Talaat, 6-5.

His maiden triumph in the event will see him offered a two-year World Snooker tour card for the 2017/18 and 2018/19 campaigns.

Elsewhere in the championships, Egypt’s Mohamed Ibrahim ousted compatriot Hisham Shouki 7-6 to claim the 6 Reds event, whilst former world number 14 Francisco secured the Masters title following a 5-2 final win over George Hanna (Egypt).

Written and published by Michael Day on the 23rd May 2017.