The Nigerian youngsters representing the country at the African Junior Tennis Championship qualifiers in Cotonou, Benin Republic, will be proud of their performance even as they suffered an unprecedented 1-2 loss to Ghana.
Nigeria Tennis Live had reported that Seun Ogunshakin, arguably Nigeria’s brightest star at this tournament, dropped a set for the first time in the tournament, but still managed to win the first Singles encounter against the West African neighbours,
In the second Single match, however, Ghana proved to be stronger than Nigeria and showed just how much stronger they were when they had the last laugh in the Doubles encounter.
The Nigerian team was ultimately condemned to a final set defeat which broke their resolve, but the tie could have gone either way after both teams gave a good account of themselves.
Reports gathered by Nigeria Tennis Live had it that the youngsters from Nigeria won the first set but were beaten in the second, leaving their fate to a tie breaker.
After a really good fight by the Abdulmumin Babalola-led team, they lost the Super Tie-Break 8-10 to an unyielding Ghanaian side, ensuring that the Nigerian side end their fairy tale run in the competition.
As at the time of filing this report, Nigeria Tennis Live could not get in touch with the Nigerian contingent in Cotonou to get the reaction of the players, but chances are that the experience of Babalola, the legendary Nigerian tennis superstar will help the players overcome the agony of defeat.