Ogunsakin, Canice Lead Nigeria’s Historic Davis Cup Squad In Morocco

Nigeria will make history this weekend when the country competes in its first-ever Davis Cup World Group II tie, with teenage sensation Seun Ogunsakin and current Nigerian No. 1 Canice Abua among the five players selected to face Morocco in Rabat.

The Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) has named a squad blending experience, current form and youthful potential for the World Group II tie against Morocco, scheduled for September 19 and 20 on outdoor clay.

The team is captained and coached by Benson Oshicheli, who has overseen Nigeria’s rise through the Davis Cup ranks in recent years.

The five-man squad comprises former Nigerian No. 1 Daniel Adeleye, current national No. 1 Abua, Nigerian No. 3 Michael Emmanuel, 2026 DAVNOTCH National Open champion Abubakar Yusuf and 17-year-old Ogunsakin.

The former Nigerian No. 1, Adeleye, is the most experienced player in the squad and brings considerable exposure from competing at the highest level of the Nigerian tennis circuit.

His experience is expected to provide valuable leadership as Nigeria take on a Morocco side with three years of World Group experience.

Canice Abua — Current Nigerian No. 1

Abua enters the tie as Nigeria’s highest-ranked player and the reigning CBN National Open champion.
The Nigerian No. 1 has been in impressive form and will be one of the key players expected to spearhead the country’s challenge against the hosts.

Michael Emmanuel — Nigerian No. 3

Emmanuel has established a reputation as a dependable performer for Nigeria in Davis Cup competition.
Known for his competitive spirit and fighting qualities, the Nigerian No. 3 has repeatedly risen to the occasion when called upon and will be another important option for Oshicheli in Rabat.

Yusuf brings national title-winning form

Yusuf earned his place in the squad after winning the 2026 DAVNOTCH National Open Championship.

His title-winning campaign has put him in strong form ahead of his Davis Cup assignment, with his ability to produce unexpected results making him another option for Nigeria.

Teenage sensation Ogunsakin headlines squad

At just 17, Ogunsakin is the youngest member of the squad but arguably arrives with the biggest international breakthrough of the year.

The teenager became the first Nigerian since 1990 to qualify for the main draw of a Grand Slam when he achieved the feat at Wimbledon.

He subsequently earned his first ATP ranking point at the M15 Monastir tournament in Tunisia and recorded his first Grand Slam victory in doubles at Wimbledon.

Ogunsakin also progressed through qualifying and reached the second round of the US Open, further underlining his rapid rise on the international circuit.

His inclusion gives Nigeria a player with significant recent experience against international opposition despite his age.

Oshicheli targets another promotion

Leading the squad is captain and coach Benson Oshicheli, who has been at the centre of Nigeria’s recent progress in the Davis Cup.

Under Oshicheli, Nigeria has secured promotion from Africa Group III, advanced through the World Group II playoffs and subsequently earned promotion to World Group II.

The next target is another promotion — to the World Group I playoffs.

Nigeria faces a difficult assignment against Morocco, who are ranked No. 48 in the world compared with Nigeria’s No. 66 and have three years of World Group experience.

Morocco also holds a 4-0 advantage in the all-time head-to-head record between the two nations.

But Nigeria arrived in Rabat on the back of a significant year for the sport, with the men’s team earning World Group II promotion, the women’s team gaining promotion to Billie Jean King Cup Europe/Africa World Group II and Ogunsakin breaking new ground at the Grand Slam level.

The historic tie will therefore provide the latest test of the progress made by Nigerian tennis, with the five-man squad tasked with producing another landmark performance on Moroccan clay.