Nigeria have been drawn to face El Salvador in the 2027 Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Morocco in Rabat.
The loss ended Nigeria’s World Group II campaign, but the team still have an opportunity to remain in contention for the second tier of the competition when they travel to El Salvador for the playoffs from February 5 to 7, 2027.
Morocco sealed a comprehensive victory at the Railway Club courts in Rabat after taking a commanding 2-0 lead on the opening day.
Karim Bennani got the hosts off to a strong start with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Canice Abua before Yassine Dlimi defeated Yusuf Abubakar by the same scoreline.
Nigeria faced Morocco’s Younes Lalami and Dlimi in the doubles on the second day, with Michael Emmanuel partnering Abubakar for the crucial rubber.
The Moroccan pair proved too strong, securing a 6-3, 6-2 victory to confirm the hosts’ overall triumph.
Amine Jamji then completed Morocco’s clean sweep with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Emmanuel in the reverse singles.
Nigeria had reached World Group II in February after recording an impressive 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in Onikan.
That triumph earned Nigeria promotion to the highest level they have reached in the Davis Cup.
However, the team’s preparations for the Morocco tie were affected by the withdrawal of Adeleye through injury, while Seun Ogunsakin also pulled out because of conditioning concerns.
Adeleye had played a key role in Nigeria’s victory over Uzbekistan earlier in the year.
With the Morocco defeat now behind them, Nigeria will shift their focus to the World Group II Playoffs against El Salvador.
The February tie represents another opportunity for the Nigerian team to maintain their place in the second tier and build on the progress made earlier in the year.
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