Nigeria opened their Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III campaign in Botswana with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Burundi on Monday to strengthen their bid for promotion, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Khadijat Mohammed handed Nigeria the perfect start with a dominant 6-0 victory over her Burundian opponent in the opening singles rubber, giving the team an early lead in their first tie of the tournament.
Burundi responded in the second singles through Ange Ishimwe, who defeated Success Ogunjobi 6-3, 6-3 to level the contest and send the tie into a decisive doubles rubber.
Needing a victory to avoid an opening-day setback, Nigeria paired experienced Oyinlomo Quadre with Ogunjobi in the doubles, and the duo delivered. They broke early to take control of the match, swept the opening set 6-1 and held their nerve in the second before Ogunjobi fired a forehand winner to seal the deciding rubber and a 2-1 triumph for Nigeria. Related News NSC hails Junior D’Tigers after AfroBasket qualification Milla’s record survives CR7’s last dance Nigerians demand NFF overhaul after Eagles’ W’Cup absence
The victory puts Nigeria in a strong early position in Group C, where only the group winners will advance in the race for promotion from Africa Group III. The Nigerian camp travelled to Botswana optimistic that this year’s squad has what it takes to finally secure elevation after several near misses.
