Nigeria, Uzbekistan Gear Up for Davis Cup Clash in Lagos
Team Nigeria has intensified preparations for their Davis Cup World Group II tie against Uzbekistan, relocating training from the National Stadium, Surulere, to the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club—the match venue for February 7–8.
The Davis Cup, the premier international men’s team tennis competition, pits nations across multiple tiers, with World Group II offering a pathway to World Group I. Uzbekistan arrived in Lagos on Sunday with three players and four officials, while key player Khumoyun Sultanov, fresh from winning the ITF M15 in Kuwait, joined the squad on Monday. Sultanov, 27, reached the second round of the 2025 Australian Open qualifiers and achieved a career-high ATP ranking of 216 in January. He is joined by Ilya Ignatov, Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, and 17-year-old Sukrob Saidov.
Nigeria’s squad is led by number one Daniel Adeleye, alongside Canice Abua, Michael Emmanuel, and returning player Uche Oparaoji. Abubakar Yusuf will make his Davis Cup debut after representing Nigeria at the Africa Games in Ghana.
The tie will be played over two days with five rubbers—four singles and one doubles match. Ranked 74 globally, Nigeria faces Uzbekistan, ranked 49, in a clash that promises intense competition on the centre court.
Victor Ochei, President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, highlighted the significance of hosting the tie, saying it reflects Nigeria’s growing presence in international tennis and the ITF’s confidence in the country’s infrastructure and organisational capacity. He added that the National Sports Commission is supporting funding and logistics for the event.
A 15-member Central Planning Committee, chaired by Victor Hembah, is overseeing preparations in collaboration with the ITF, Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the host club. Dr. Adeyinka Adewusi, President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, confirmed the venue is fully prepared to host the high-profile tie.
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