Regardless of what happened between South Africa and Kenya on Saturday, June 15, Nigeria has failed to gain promotion to the Africa Group II of the Billie Jean King Cup taking place in Nairobi, Kenya.
It was the 3-0 defeat that the Nigerian ladies suffered against South Africa on Friday, June 14 that ended their good run in the competition after they fought well to beat host Kenya 2-1 in their battle for promotion.
Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya topped their groups to become the three teams that would slug it out for the sole slot in Africa Group II but it was the South Africans that put an end to Nigeria’s dream in the competition.
Against the South Africans, star girl Oyinlonmo Quadre fell in the first singles match 3-6, 3-6 to Gabrielle Broadfoot, before Adesuwa Osabuohiem collapsed 1-6, 1-3 to Isabella Kruger in the second game.
South Africa also took the doubles rubber with a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of the Nigerian pair of Divine Nweke and Osabuohiem.
Having beaten Kenya 2-1, a victory against South Africa would have earned Nigeria passage to the World Group II, but the eventual loss has put an end to their dream.
The South Africans are now South Africa to nick the ticket to Group II of the World Cup of tennis.
12 countries – Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Burundi, Ghana, Botswana, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Madagascar, and Mauritius featured in the Africa Group III of the Billie Jean King Cup with the top team advancing to Africa Group III next year while one team will be relegated to Africa Group IV.