Sports
Nigeria Outclass Rwanda to Open Billie Jean King Cup Campaign in Style
Joel Ajayi
Team Nigeria has made a winning start to its campaign at the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III in Botswana, defeating Rwanda 2-1 in their opening tie to boost hopes of securing promotion to the World Group II.
The Billie Jean King Cup, regarded as the Women’s World Cup of Tennis, has brought together twelve African nations competing for just two coveted promotion spots to the World Group II, making every match crucial in the race for qualification.
Nigeria’s squad comprises four of the country’s brightest female tennis talents: Barakat Oyinlomo Quadre, Success Ogunjobi, Khadijat Mohammed, and Etoro Bassey.
Significantly, all four players are products of the DavNotch National Open Tennis Championship, a testament to the tournament’s growing role in discovering and nurturing elite Nigerian tennis players.
The team’s hard-fought victory over Rwanda reflects the determination and quality within the Nigerian side as they continue their quest to return to higher levels of international women’s team tennis.
With confidence boosted by the opening-day success, Team Nigeria will now shift focus to their remaining group matches, knowing that only the top two nations at the tournament will earn promotion to the World Group II.
The impressive start has further reinforced the growing strength of Nigerian women’s tennis and the effectiveness of grassroots development initiatives that continue to produce players capable of competing successfully on the continental stage.
Tennis stakeholders and fans across the country will be hoping the team sustains its winning momentum and secures one of the two available promotion tickets, thereby bringing further honour to Nigeria on the African tennis scene.
Sports
YellowGreens Thrash The Gambia by 160 Runs in Dominant Display
Joel Ajayi
Selim Salau’s century and a breathtaking late assault from Isaac Okpe powered Nigeria to a dominant opening victory at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
Nigeria’s senior men’s national cricket team, the YellowGreens, made a resounding start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C campaign, defeating The Gambia by 160 runs at the NCF Oval 2 in Abuja on Tuesday, 20 October 2026.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Nigeria produced a formidable total of 262 for one in their allotted 20 overs, setting The Gambia a daunting target of 263 runs.
The innings was anchored by an outstanding century from Selim Salau, who remained unbeaten on 105 off 58 deliveries, striking 12 fours and three sixes. Isaac Danladi provided excellent support with an impressive 86 off 48 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, as the pair laid the foundation for Nigeria’s commanding total.
Isaac Okpe then delivered a sensational finishing assault, smashing an unbeaten 56 off just 16 deliveries, with three fours and six sixes. His remarkable strike rate of 350.00 propelled Nigeria beyond the 260-run mark and put the hosts firmly in control.
The Gambia faced an uphill battle in their chase and were eventually bowled out for 102 in 17.2 overs, handing Nigeria a comprehensive 160-run victory.
The result marked an emphatic opening statement from the YellowGreens as they began their campaign on home soil with an impressive all-round performance.
The victory also provides Nigeria with valuable momentum in a six-team competition featuring hosts Nigeria, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique. With the teams competing in a round-robin format, the top two sides will progress to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Regional Final in 2027.
Nigeria will look to build on this commanding start as the YellowGreens continue their pursuit of one of the two available qualification places, with their next fixture against Zambia scheduled for Wednesday, 21 October, at the NCF Oval 1 in Abuja.
Final Score
Nigeria: 262/1 (20 overs)
The Gambia: 102 all out (17.2 overs)
Result: Nigeria won by 160 runs.
Key Performers
Selim Salau — 105 not out off 58 balls
Isaac Danladi — 86 off 48 balls
Isaac Okpe — 56 not out off 16 balls
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