Nigeria opened their Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III campaign in Botswana with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Burundi on Monday to strengthen their bid for promotion, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Khadijat Mohammed handed Nigeria the perfect start with a dominant 6-0 victory over her Burundian opponent in the opening singles rubber, giving the team an early lead in their first tie of the tournament.

Burundi responded in the second singles through Ange Ishimwe, who defeated Success Ogunjobi 6-3, 6-3 to level the contest and send the tie into a decisive doubles rubber.

Needing a victory to avoid an opening-day setback, Nigeria paired experienced Oyinlomo Quadre with Ogunjobi in the doubles, and the duo delivered. They broke early to take control of the match, swept the opening set 6-1 and held their nerve in the second before Ogunjobi fired a forehand winner to seal the deciding rubber and a 2-1 triumph for Nigeria.

The victory puts Nigeria in a strong early position in Group C, where only the group winners will advance in the race for promotion from Africa Group III. The Nigerian camp travelled to Botswana optimistic that this year’s squad has what it takes to finally secure elevation after several near misses.

The Billie Jean King Cup, organised by the International Tennis Federation, is the world’s premier women’s team tennis competition. Nigeria has grown into one of the strongest teams in Africa Group III, thanks to consistent performances in both singles and doubles.

Captain Rotimi Akinloye’s side came closest to promotion in 2024 after topping their round-robin group, while Quadre has established herself as Nigeria’s standout performer in the competition, holding the team’s records for the most overall, singles and doubles victories.

Alongside emerging talents Mohammed and Ogunjobi, she is expected to play a key role as Nigeria chase promotion in Botswana.