Davis Cup: Nigeria Set for Another Showdown Against Morocco
Tennis rivals renew hostilities in World Group II tie this September
By Tunde Eludini
Nigeria will face Morocco in the Davis Cup World Group II this September following a commanding victory over Uzbekistan in Lagos, as the country’s tennis team continues its steady rise on the international stage.
The draw, concluded by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Thursday, paired Nigeria with the North African side and confirmed Morocco as host of the tie. The two-day event is scheduled for 18–20 September, meaning Team Nigeria will travel to Morocco for the crucial encounter.
The fixture adds fresh intrigue to a growing sporting rivalry between both nations. Only recently, Morocco edged Nigeria on penalties in a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match—a result that still resonates with Nigerian sports fans. Attention now shifts from football to tennis, where Nigeria will hope for a different outcome.
Nigeria secured their place in World Group II with an impressive sweep of Uzbekistan in Lagos. Backed by home supporters, the team delivered confident performances across both singles and doubles rubbers.
| Player | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Adeleye | Khumoyun Sultanov | Win | 6–3, 6–4 |
| Canice Abua & Michael Emmanuel (Doubles) | Denis Istomin & Khumoyun Sultanov | Win | 7–6, 6–4 |
The doubles pairing of Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel defeated Denis Istomin and Khumoyun Sultanov 7–6, 6–4, edging a tense first-set tie-break before taking control in the second.
In singles, 19-year-old Daniel Adeleye beat Sultanov 6–3, 6–4 in a composed display that highlighted his growing maturity on the court. Adeleye, who switched allegiance from Zimbabwe to Nigeria, continues to emerge as one of the country’s brightest tennis prospects.
Progress Beneath the Surface
The victory strengthened Nigeria’s Davis Cup campaign and underscored recent efforts to rebuild the sport domestically. Tennis administrators have pointed to renewed grassroots programmes and increased international exposure for players as key drivers of this upward trajectory.
Nigeria Tennis Federation President Victor Ochei described the win as a significant step for the sport, noting that the team had defied expectations against opponents considered stronger on paper.
“This team has shown character and belief. We are building something sustainable here.”
— Victor Ochei, Nigeria Tennis Federation President
The Road Ahead
Morocco, however, presents a far tougher test. With a stronger tennis pedigree and the advantage of home soil, they will enter the September tie as slight favourites.
For Nigeria, the challenge is clear: translate momentum from Lagos into another statement performance on foreign soil and keep alive hopes of climbing further up the Davis Cup ladder.