Nigeria Arrive Rabat For Historic Davis Cup World Group II Tie

Nigeria’s Davis Cup team has arrived in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of the country’s first-ever World Group II tie against the hosts on 19 and 20 September.

The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) confirmed the team’s arrival in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Makpa Shama, saying the squad had begun preparations and acclimatisation ahead of the tie.

Nigeria earned promotion to World Group II earlier this year under team captain and coach Benson Oshicheli.

Morocco, ranked 48th in the world, will host the tie on an outdoor clay court, with Nigeria ranked 66th. The hosts also hold a 4-0 advantage over Nigeria in their previous Davis Cup meetings.

The Nigerian team comprises former national No. 1 Daniel Adeleye, current national No. 1 Canice Abua, Michael Emmanuel, Abubakar Yusuf and 17-year-old Seun Ogunsakin.

Ogunsakin, ranked 2,211 by the ATP and 78th in the world junior rankings, has enjoyed a breakthrough year, becoming the first Nigerian since 1990 to reach a Grand Slam main draw after qualifying for Wimbledon.

He also earned his first ATP ranking point in Monastir, Tunisia, won a Grand Slam doubles match at Wimbledon and reached the second round of the US Open after progressing through qualifying, according to the NTF.

Oshicheli has overseen Nigeria’s progression from Africa Group III to World Group II, with the team now targeting promotion to the World Group I playoffs.

The NTF said the tie represents a significant milestone for Nigerian tennis, coming after a year in which the country’s men gained Davis Cup World Group II promotion and the women earned Billie Jean King Cup Europe/Africa World Group II promotion.

The federation said the team would continue training in Rabat before the tie begins on Saturday.