Guardian

ANOTHER attempt by Team Nigeria to return to the elite group of the Europe/Africa Zone of the Davis Cup tournament was thwarted Friday, as the Benson Ishicheli-captained side lost to Egypt in their last group match of Group III played at the Smash Tennis Academy in Cairo.

Despite beating Zambia and Botswana, the Nigerian side could not overcome the Egyptians in the deciding encounter of the group.

In the first match, Abdulmumuni Babalola, who has been playing in the doubles, was beaten by Egypt’s Sherif Sabry 6-2, 6-1, while the spirited effort by Clifford Enosoregbe could not prevent him from losing 6-4, 6-2 to Mohamed Safwat.

Also the paring of Shehu Lawal and Babalola could not salvage the team in the doubles as they fell to the duo of Karim-Mohamed Maamoun and Karim Hossam to ensure that the host team topped the group to enter in the final playoff for promotion into Group II.

The top four teams that will compete for the two slots in Group II are Morocco, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Egypt.

Nigeria will now compete for the fifth and eight positions in the group.