Nigeria’s Billie Jean King Cup team currently in Gaborone, Botswana, will be doing something never-before-done in Nigerian tennis if they gain promotion to Europe/Africa Group II.
The quartet of Oyinlomo Quadre, Khadijat Mohammed, Success Ogunjobi and Etoro Bassey, led by Coach Rotimi Akinloye are currently participating in the Africa Group III Qualifier in southern Africa in a quest to gain promotion to the Euro zone.
Since making their debut in 2021 in Lithuania, the Nigerian female team only came really close to qualifying from the Africa Group III in 2024, where they won all their group matches and topped the group, only to lose to South Africa in the final round robin match after defeating hosts Kenya.
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In a repeat of what transpired two years ago, the Nigerian ladies have now defeated Burundi, Namibia and Madagascar in the round robin matches to top Group C, and have to defeat both Tunisia and hosts Botswana to be sure of promotion.
Unlike what was obtainable in 2024 where only one country was guaranteed promotion, two of the three countries playing the promotional playoffs will be promoted to Europe/Africa Group II.
Nigeria has never played against Tunisia in this competition, and their track record of playing in the competition since 1992 and recently playing in Europe/Africa Group II are enough reasons to be wary of the north Africans, however, Nigeria is highest-ranked team left in the competition, and will fancy their chances of getting past the Tunisians giving their current form.
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Against Botswana also, Nigeria holds a superior head-to-head, even though the south Africans won the most recent tie between both nations in 2025.
Of all the players representing the three countries in the promotional play offs, Nigeria’s Quadre is the most experienced with most wins under her belt at the Billie Jean King Cup tournament, a weapon Nigeria will be banking on heavily against their opponents.
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This year’s competition represents the best opportunity for any of the three countries to secure promotion to the Europe/Africa Group II which will represent a return for both of Botswana and Tunisia, and a first for Nigeria.
Nigeria Tennis Live will keep all our readers updated on the latest developments from Botswana as they unfold in the coming days.