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Nigeria Opens Billie Jean King Cup Campaign with Hard-Fought Victory Over Burundi
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.
Architect Felix Arome has assumed office as the Director-General of the Front Line Alliance Network (FAN), a political support group with structures across Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT.
Arome, a former National Secretary of the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Group, formally took over leadership during a handover ceremony.
He thanked the founders of FAN for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to strengthen the group’s structures nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arome said FAN would work closely with political groups, individuals and organisations supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
He urged members to consolidate the network’s structures down to the local government level, stressing that responsibilities under his leadership would be based on capacity and performance rather than sentiments.
The new Director-General also assured members that their sacrifices and contributions towards building the organisation would be recognised and valued.
FAN had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for another term in office in the 2027 presidential election.
FC Robo Queens have officially confirmed the return of Adegbuyi Oluwakemi following the expiration of her one-month loan spell with Edo Queens.
Sports247 reports that the talented attacker has returned to her parent club after a successful temporary stint with the Edo-based side, where she helped Edo Queens win the WAFU-B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
Oluwakemi was one of the standout performers during the competition and was subsequently named Player of the Tournament, further highlighting her growing reputation as one of the leading attacking talents in Nigerian women’s football.
Confirming her return, FC Robo Queens posted on their social media platforms:
“Welcome back to FC Robo Queens, Oluwakemi.”
The one-month loan agreement has now formally expired, paving the way for the forward to rejoin FC Robo Queens as the club continues preparations for its upcoming football activities.
Oluwakemi’s return represents another boost for the Lagos-based club, given her impressive form and individual achievements over the past season.
Before her temporary move to Edo Queens, Oluwakemi had already enjoyed a remarkable campaign with FC Robo Queens, winning the 2025/26 NWFL Premiership Player of the Season award.
Her performances have established her as a key attacking figure, and FC Robo Queens will be hoping she can carry her confidence and momentum from the WAFU-B qualifiers into the club’s upcoming challenges.
The club also expressed its appreciation for Oluwakemi’s professionalism throughout her time away and welcomed her back into the squad.
With the attacker now back at FC Robo Queens following a productive spell with Edo Queens, attention will turn to how she fits into the team’s plans as the club prepares for the next phase of the season.
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