By Arinzechi Chukwunonso
Nigeria’s Davis Cup team has arrived in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of the country’s historic World Group II tie against the hosts scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026.
The Nigeria Tennis Federation said the fixture marks the first-ever Davis Cup World Group II tie in the country’s history, following Nigeria’s promotion earlier this year under Team Captain and Coach Benson Oshicheli.
The Nigerian squad has commenced preparations in Rabat, with the players training and acclimatising to the conditions ahead of the two-day encounter.
Morocco, ranked 48th in the world, will enter the tie with home advantage and three years of World Group experience, while Nigeria are ranked 66th and are appearing at this level for the first time.
Morocco also hold a 4-0 advantage over Nigeria in their all-time Davis Cup meetings.
However, the Nigerian federation believes the current squad has the quality and determination to rewrite that record.
Nigeria’s five-man squad
The team features former Nigerian number one Daniel Adeleye, current national number one Canice Abua, Michael Emmanuel, Abubakar Yusuf and teenage sensation Seun Ogunsakin.
Adeleye, who reached a career-high ATP ranking of 2,003, brings considerable experience to the squad, while Abua arrives as the reigning CBN National Open champion.
Emmanuel is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most dependable Davis Cup performers, while Yusuf heads to Morocco as the reigning 2026 DAVNOTCH National Open champion.
At just 17, Ogunsakin has enjoyed a breakthrough season that has placed him among the most exciting young players in Nigerian tennis.
The teenager became the first Nigerian since 1990 to qualify for a Grand Slam main draw at Wimbledon, earned his first ATP ranking point at the M15 Monastir in Tunisia, and recorded his first Grand Slam doubles victory at Wimbledon.
He also progressed through qualifying and reached the second round of the US Open.
Oshicheli targets another promotion
Nigeria will be led by coach and captain Benson Oshicheli, whose tenure has overseen a remarkable run of promotions.
Under his leadership, Nigeria secured promotion from Africa Group III, advanced through the World Group II playoffs and earned promotion to World Group II.
The next objective is another step up — promotion to the World Group I playoffs.
The Nigeria Tennis Federation said the team’s arrival in Rabat represents the culmination of years of progress and an opportunity to further raise the profile of Nigerian tennis on the international stage.
“Morocco are a formidable opponent on home soil, but we have not come to Rabat to make up the numbers. We have come to compete, to fight and to win,” the federation said.
The federation also called on Nigerian tennis fans to support the players as they take on Morocco in what promises to be one of the most significant Davis Cup ties in the nation’s history.
A landmark year for Nigerian tennis
The Morocco tie comes during a historic year for Nigerian tennis.
Nigeria’s men secured promotion to Davis Cup World Group II, while the women earned promotion to the BJK Cup Europe/Africa World Group II.
Ogunsakin’s breakthrough at Grand Slam level, Nigeria’s U-12 girls emerging as West Africa’s number one team, and the successful completion of the World Tennis Level 1 Coaching Course in Abuja have further highlighted the sport’s recent growth.
The Davis Cup World Group II tie between Morocco and Nigeria will take place on September 19 and 20 in Rabat on outdoor clay.
Nigeria will be hoping its first appearance at this level ends with another historic chapter — and another promotion.
