Mustafa Stuns Onyenkpa As Zenith Bank Team Tennis Tournament Serves Off

Former Ikoyi Club 1938 Tennis Section Chairman Akeem Mustafa claimed the early bragging rights at the 2026 Zenith Bank Team Tennis Tournament after defeating the section’s current chairman, Victor Onyenkpa, 6-3 on the opening day.

The tournament got underway on Monday evening at the tennis courts of Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, with players competing in a round-robin format across different banking groups.

Mustafa, representing the Zenith Aspire Group, produced an entertaining display to overcome Onyenkpa, who was also seeking points for his respective group in a keenly contested encounter that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

The competition is being played in a best-of-nine format at the group stage, with the format set to change to best-of-three sets from the semi-final stage.

Players have been drawn into various banking groups, including Diaspora Banking, Prestige Banking, Scan to Pay, Zenith Easy Banking and Zenith Aspire, among others.

In another Zenith Aspire Group encounter, Azubuike Okonkwo defeated Hilary Eledu of Zenith Easy Banking.

Kalada Kienka of Diaspora Banking enjoyed a comfortable 9-0 victory over Emeka Azinge of the Prestige Banking Red Group.

In the Blue Group, Pascal Ebhohimen edged Uzor Nwankwo 5-4 in a closely fought contest, while Thomas Ighodalo recorded a convincing 8-1 victory over Jide Ntephe.

Onyenkpa said he was impressed with the quality of action on the opening day and expressed optimism that the tournament would become increasingly competitive as the competition progresses.

“I am impressed with what we have seen on the opening day. The players have shown good competitive spirit and I am optimistic that the tournament will get even better in the coming days,” Onyenkpa said.

With several closely contested matches already producing excitement, attention now turns to the remaining group-stage fixtures as players battle for points and places in the knockout rounds.