Davis Cup: Nigerian players dismiss Morocco pressure

Nigeria’s tennis players have played down the pressure of facing Morocco in hostile surroundings ahead of this weekend’s Davis Cup World Group II tie in Rabat, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigerian team has been putting the finishing touches to their preparations in Rabat after arriving in Morocco on Monday for the September 19 and 20 clash at the Union Sportive des Cheminots de Tennis du Maroc.

Nigeria earned their place in World Group II after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club in February.

Nigeria’s No. 2-ranked player, David Adeleye, who rounded up the win over Uzbekistan in February, said he was relishing the challenge of playing in Morocco and was unfazed by the expected hostility from the home crowd.

“There is no pressure. As I always say, enjoy the moment. It’s not my first time in Morocco, so I really enjoy it when I play and people are against me. Every point is important,” Adeleye told Nigerian journalist Biola-Solace Chukwu in an interview.

The country’s third-ranked player, Michael Emmanuel, who partnered Canice Abua in the doubles rubber against Uzbekistan and helped Nigeria take a 2-1 lead, said the team was motivated to continue its progress.

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“It has been our dream to put Nigerian tennis at the top. We want to go there and win. We are motivated to get the win and stay top,” Emmanuel said.

Morocco enter the tie after dropping into World Group II following their defeat by Colombia in the World Group I play-off in Casablanca.

Coach Benson Ishicheli is also hoping to lead Nigeria to their first victory over Morocco, having lost all four previous encounters.

“From history, where we are going, when they lose, they are a bit hostile, so we are preparing for that kind of situation. At the same time, we want to go there and break the jinx.

“We are at 0-4 and we want to make it 4-1,” Ishicheli said.

Nigeria will be looking to build on their victory over Uzbekistan and secure another win as they seek to progress further in the Davis Cup, the International Tennis Federation’s premier international men’s team competition.