By Dorcas Francis Koji
Nigeria’s number one tennis player, Canice Abua, has expressed confidence that the country can overcome Morocco in their Davis Cup World Group II tie, while calling on Nigerians to continue supporting the team.
The Nigerian team arrived in Rabat on Monday ahead of the September 19 and 20 encounter against Morocco at the Union Sportive des Cheminots de Tennis du Maroc.
Abua, Daniel Adeleye, Michael Emmanuel and Abubakar Yusuf make up Nigeria’s playing squad, with coach Benson Ishicheli overseeing the team’s preparations.
Speaking during one of the team’s training sessions in Lagos before their departure, Abua backed Nigeria to produce a positive result in Morocco.
“We are just looking forward to doing something good. I am sure we are going to win. I will just tell the people at home to send their support,” the Nigerian No. 1 told journalist Phatill.
The team spent more than a week preparing on the clay courts of the Lagos Country Club, where Ishicheli focused on improving the players’ fitness, adaptability and match readiness ahead of the crucial tie.
Nigeria secured their place in World Group II after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in February.
Abua played a pivotal role in that victory. With the tie level at 1-1 after the opening singles matches, he partnered Emmanuel to win the doubles rubber and put Nigeria ahead before Adeleye completed the comeback with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ilya Ignatov.
Reflecting on the triumph, Abua described the result as an important moment for both himself and Nigerian tennis.
“It was a very good feeling for the team and the country as a whole because we did a very good job and people were happy,” he said.
“Personally, it’s a big achievement for my career.”
Abua subsequently added another milestone by winning the CBN Tennis Championship, an achievement he attributed to determination and consistent hard work.
“I will just say it is hard work. I have been working hard to win the CBN Championship. It has been one of my biggest goals in Nigerian tennis,” he added.
Morocco, meanwhile, enter the World Group II tie after dropping from World Group I following a defeat to Colombia in the play-off in Casablanca.
Nigeria will now look to build on their victory over Uzbekistan and secure another important Davis Cup success as they aim to progress further in the International Tennis Federation’s premier international men’s team competition.
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