Nigerian boys were all shades of bravery at the just concluded CAT U-12 Championship in Benin Republic and could only settle for silver after losing in the final to Ghana.
The Oluwaseun Ogunshakin-led team had been unbeaten all week, but were stunned by a spirited Ghanaian side where they needed it the most.
Reports from the West African country have it that Ghana won 2-1 against the Nigerian youngsters in a battle of wits and superiority.
After Onyekachi Ogumjiofor suffered the first defeat in his match against Hanif Boateng, losing 6-0, 6-1, the brave Ogunshakin restored parity with a 7-5, 6-2 victory for the Nigerian boys.
They were however unlucky in the final match as they were begged back from a set to love, to succumb to a spirited and hard fighting Ghanaian side.
Nigeria lost to Hanif Boateng and Samuel Aryeetey in a 7-5, 2-6, 2-10 encounter.
This result, regardless, did not stop the African giants from qualifying for the main event holding around September in Morocco.
Coach Abel Ubiebi who took the players to Cotonou for the tournament noted that the players were very amazing on the day as they gave their all.
“We tried so hard to get the gold but it slipped from our hands,” he told Nigeria Tennis Live.
The team is expected back from Benin on Sunday as preparations will commence for the main event later in the year.