Morocco Move Within One Win of Davis Cup Play-Offs After Beating Nigeria

Morocco moved to within one victory of securing a place in the Davis Cup World Group I Play-Offs after taking a 2-0 lead over Nigeria on the opening day of their World Group II tie in Rabat.

The hosts enjoyed a strong start on Saturday, winning both singles matches in straight sets at the Club des Cheminots.

Karim Bennani got Morocco off to a flying start with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 victory over Nigeria’s Canice Abua in the opening singles contest.

Yassine Dlimi then doubled Morocco’s advantage, defeating Yusuf Abubakar by the same 6-1, 6-2 scoreline to leave the hosts firmly in control of the tie.

With the score at 2-0, Morocco need just one more point from Sunday’s matches to complete the tie and advance to the World Group I Play-Offs scheduled for February 2027.

The second day will begin with the doubles encounter before the remaining singles matches. Morocco are scheduled to field Younes Lalami and Dlimi against Nigeria’s Michael Emmanuel and Yusuf Abubakar in the doubles, while the singles programme includes Bennani against Daniel Adeleye and Dlimi against Canice Abua.

For Nigeria, the task is now considerably tougher, with the team needing to win all three remaining matches to overturn Morocco’s advantage.

Dlimi said after his victory that Morocco had taken an important step but would approach the remaining matches with the same level of concentration.

The tie is being played in Rabat on September 19 and 20, with Morocco seeking a return to the World Group I Play-Offs and Nigeria attempting to keep its campaign alive.