Connect with us

News

Nigeria Opens Billie Jean King Cup Campaign with Hard-Fought Victory Over Burundi

info

Published

on

IMG 20260713 WA0313.jpg

Team Nigeria made a winning start to its 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III Qualifier campaign after defeating Burundi 2-1 in an entertaining opening-day tie in Gaborone, Botswana.

READ ALSO: Tennis: Team Nigeria Departs for Botswana as Billie Jean King Cup Quest Begins

Sports247 reports that the Nigerian ladies displayed resilience and composure to secure a crucial victory in their first outing of the tournament, boosting their hopes of earning one of the two promotion spots available.

Nigeria’s No. 1 player, Khadijat Mohammed, gave the team a dream start by claiming victory in the opening singles match to hand the West Africans a 1-0 lead against Burundi.

Burundi responded by levelling the contest in the second singles rubber, setting up a decisive doubles encounter with everything at stake.

The experienced pairing of Oyinlomo Quadre and Success Ogunjobi rose to the occasion, producing an impressive performance to seal the decisive doubles match and hand Nigeria a 2-1 triumph.

The winning moment came when Success Ogunjobi unleashed a powerful forehand winner, sparking celebrations among the Nigerian contingent and confirming victory in the opening tie.

The result gives Team Nigeria an early advantage as they continue their quest for promotion in the week-long continental competition, which features 11 nations battling for just two places in Africa Group II.

With confidence boosted by the opening-day success, Coach Rotimi Akinloye and his players will now shift their attention to their remaining group fixtures, knowing that every victory could prove decisive in Nigeria’s promotion ambitions.

The Billie Jean King Cup, regarded as the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup, remains the world’s largest annual international women’s team tennis competition, and Nigeria has taken the first positive step in its mission to return to a higher tier of African tennis.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Motsepe Urges Calm as FIFA Crisis Deepens, Backs March 2027 Election

info

Published

on

By

WhatsApp Image 2025 11 20 at 12.26.16 PM.jpeg

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has called for calm and unity amid the growing crisis within world football’s governing body, insisting that the FIFA presidential election in March 2027 should provide the appropriate platform for members to determine the organisation’s direction.

Speaking in Salzburg around the UEFA Super Cup, Motsepe said the current disagreements should not descend into prolonged internal conflict, urging all sides to respect FIFA’s electoral and governance processes.

Read Also: ‘Africa Must Protect Its Interests’ — CAF’s Lux September Speaks on FIFA Crisis | Sports247 Nigeria

FIFA’s 211 member associations are expected to decide the organisation’s leadership at the 77th FIFA Congress in Rabat, Morocco, on March 18, 2027. Current president Gianni Infantino is seeking another term.

Motsepe maintained that the election should allow the various candidates and member associations to make their positions clear through the established democratic process rather than through continued public confrontation.

The CAF president also reiterated his support for Infantino, describing him as a leader who has shown commitment to African football.

“Gianni Infantino has been loyal to Africa and has shown a deep commitment to African development and growth.”

His comments come amid a major dispute over FIFA’s proposed Forward Enterprise, which involved plans for private investment in FIFA competitions and triggered strong opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF and other stakeholders. FIFA eventually abandoned the proposal after widespread criticism over transparency and the consultation process.

Motsepe said the current situation should instead encourage dialogue, cooperation and respect for due process.

Africa’s position could be particularly influential at the election because CAF’s 54 member associations represent the second-largest voting bloc in FIFA, behind UEFA’s 55.

With the FIFA presidential contest approaching, Motsepe’s position keeps CAF firmly aligned behind Infantino while other confederations continue to demand changes in FIFA’s leadership and governance.

Continue Reading

Business

Guinea Insurance Positions for Next Growth Phase Following NAICOM Recapitalisation Approval

info

Published

on

By

BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—Emerging from National Insurance Commission, (NAICOM), sector-wide recapitalisation drive with a capital base exceeding ₦15 billion, Guinea Insurance Plc on Friday said its positioning itself for a major market transformation.

With NAICOM verification now completed, the non-life insurer plans to deploy its strengthened capital position toward underwriting larger corporate risks, expanding digital infrastructure, and competing more aggressively for market leadership within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.

A statement released by the insurer noted that, recapitalisation is not the destination. It is the platform for growth.

The statement further said is now focused on converting its enhanced capital position into greater underwriting capacity, stronger customer propositions, improved service delivery, strategic partnerships and sustainable market growth.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ademola Abidogun, said:

“Recapitalisation has given Guinea Insurance the strength to think bigger, compete harder and pursue opportunities with greater confidence. We have strengthened our capital; now we are focused on strengthening our position in the market.”

“Nigeria is a market of enormous opportunities, and Guinea Insurance intends to be at the forefront of capturing those opportunities. Whether it is supporting major corporates, SMEs, institutions or individuals, we are ready to provide the capacity, expertise and confidence that businesses need to grow.”

The completion of the recapitalisation also reinforces Guinea Insurance’s ambition to become a more competitive, innovative and customer-focused insurer, with increased capacity to participate in larger risks, develop relevant insurance solutions and deepen its relationships across the insurance value chain.

The Company will build on this stronger foundation through disciplined underwriting, technology and innovation, operational excellence, robust risk management and a relentless focus on customer experience.

It will also pursue strategic opportunities that expand its market reach and create sustainable value for shareholders and other stakeholders.

According to the Company, the objective is clear: to turn capital strength into market strength.

Guinea Insurance expressed its appreciation to its shareholders, investors, policyholders, brokers, employees, business partners, regulators and other stakeholders whose confidence and support contributed to the successful completion of the recapitalisation exercise.

As Guinea Insurance enters its next phase, the Company is looking beyond compliance and capital adequacy. It is preparing to compete for bigger opportunities, serve more customers, support more businesses and deliver greater value across the Nigerian economy.

The post Guinea Insurance Positions for Next Growth Phase Following NAICOM Recapitalisation Approval appeared first on Business Today NG.

Continue Reading

Trending