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Nigeria Beat Uzbekistan, Get Promotion To Davis Cup World Group II Playoff

Nigeria will learn their next opponents when the ITF releases the draw following the World Group I playoff ties.

By Channels Television
Updated February 9, 2026
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A combo of Nigerian players for the Davis Cup.

 

With the fixture tied at 1-1 from Saturday’s showdown, Nigeria and Uzbekistan returned for the deciding games to see who would gain promotion to World Group II. It was a weekend of wonderful tennis between the two nations.

First up was the doubles, and Nigeria did not disappoint. The pair of Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel beat Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin and Khumoyun Sultanov, winning 7-6, 6-4 to take a crucial 2-1 lead.

Decisive Singles

In the reverse singles, Daniel Adeleye delivered the crucial victory. With a composed 6-3, 6-4 win over Ilya Ignatov, he secured the promotion, sending Nigeria into the Davis Cup World Group II  (for the first time in about 30 years), which will be played in September later this year.

“I told them we were going to beat them, and indeed we made it happen. We’ve beaten them to it,” the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Victor Ochei, said after the win at the Onikan Stadium in Lagos. 

READ ALSO: South Korea’s Ride Home Support To Davis Cup Win Over Argentina

Victory For Nigeria

For Nigeria, the win demonstrates that the country has what it takes to excel against foreign counterparts.

“For me, it’s a victory that belongs to Nigeria; this victory is for all of us. It belongs to the game of tennis in Nigeria and is a sign that tennis has come to stay.”

An excited President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, 1895,  Adeyinka Adewusi, said, “many people underrated our team”.

“Today, they proved everybody wrong. Despite the higher ranking of their Uzbek counterparts, the Nigerian team has surpassed all expectations and delivered the win to us,” Adewusi told reporters. 

‘The Nation Celebrates’

The federal government was not left out in the outpour of congratulations for the Nigerian team. 

In a statement on its X handle, the National Sports Commission (NSC) commended the players, coaches, federation, leadership, and supporters for the feat. 

“Congratulations, Team Nigeria. The nation celebrates this proud moment with you,” the post read in part. 

The NSC said, “Nigeria’s return to World Group II stands as a powerful signal of RENEWED progress in tennis development and competitive excellence. 

“It reflects sustained commitment to athlete preparation and institutional support in line with the RHINSE framework.” 

With the playoffs concluded, attention now turns to World Group II. Nigeria will learn their next opponents when the ITF releases the draw following the World Group I playoff ties.

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