Nigeria’s quest to advance to the next stage of the ongoing Fed Cup championship in Tunisia will be tested on Wednesday morning when the country’s representatives face Egypt in the first round of matches.
According to information gathered by Naija Tennis Special, MaryLove Edwards and talented female tennis sensation, Oyinlomo Quadri, will be up against tough players from Egypt in the singles game before playing the doubles later in the day.
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| The girls are optimistic about coming out tops in their matches against their Egyptian counterparts. |
While MaryLove will face a familiar foe in Charl Maria, Quadri faces another stern test when she squares up against Ab Elsaad Hania before the Nigerian pair will partner to take on the Egyptian pair in the doubles after a 30-minute break.
Coach Abel Ubiebi who took the girls to the North African country expressed great optimism in the chances of his girls to deliver, despite the fact that they will come up against very strong oppositions in their first round of matches.
In a chat with Naija Tennis Special from Tunisia, the vastly-traveled coach said: “The matches are going to be tough but we are positive.”
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| Eyes on the ball… Coach seems to be telling Quadri ahead of their all-important game against Egypt. |
“MaryLove has played against her opponent before in South Africa at the last AJC in March, so we are counting on that experience to see her through, however, we are not seeing it as an easy ride for us.
“Barakat (Quadri) also has a tough opponent, but she promised to give us the match and I believe in her to deliver the goods.
“She has done it before, she can do it again,” the coach who was in high spirits, told our correspondent before the match.
Nigeria is among six countries in Tunisia for the championship. Others include Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco and hosts Tunisia.