After emerging the overall winners of the first leg which was concluded on Wednesday, Nigeria stepped up the gear for what promises to be another memorable campaign in the ongoing 2015 ITF West and Central African Junior Circuit in Togo with no fewer than eight of the countries players bagging passage to the semifinals as the second leg of the tournament served off on Thursday.
In the boy’s 16&under category, Nigeria’s Michael Oshewa recorded a 6-4,6-4 win over Robert Ochili of Benin to book a place in the semifinal where he is joined by his compatriot, Ayoola Michael who overpowered Alitto Charles of Ghana 6-4, 6-1.
Martins Abamu, who lost to Togo’s Anthony Gabdoe in the final on Wednesday of the first leg, returned to winning form as he defeated Amadou Diarra of Mali 6-2, 6-3 while his younger brother, Mathew continued to be the player to beat in the boys 14&U category following his capture of the gold in the first leg as he also earned a place in the last-four by beating Michael Dosso of Benin Republic 6-3, 6-3.
Port Harcourt-based Kodian Academy’s Godsgift Timibra also kept the Nigerian flag high among the nine countries that are featuring in the point-winning tournament with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Abdulahi Balyomo of Cote d’Ivoire.
In the girls’ 16&under, Adetunji Adetayo and Angel McCleod respectively defeated Patricia Nyako of Ghana and Bisola Lassisis of Benin Republic 6-3, 6-2 and 6-2, 6-2 while Barakat Quadri also won against Modinat Dogbe of Togo 6-0, 6-1 in the girls’ 14& under.
Nigeria emerged overall champions of the first leg with four gold and one silver.
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