Nigeria fell short in the opening tie of their Davis Cup Africa Group III campaign at the Nairobi Club in Kenya on Wednesday, losing 2-1 to Namibia.

Nigeria and Namibia faced off in what was their fourth encounter at the event. And it was Nigeria who made the perfect start, as Emmanuel Idoko beat Codie Van Schalkwky 6-4, 6-2 in the first singles rubber. Namibia, however, levelled the tie when Jean Erasmus, the team’s captain, defeated Emmanuel Audu 6-2, 6-4.

In the doubles, Jean Erasmus and Codie Van Schalkwky joined forces to edge Emmanuel Audu and Paul Etim 6-4, 6-4 and claim victory.

Nigeria will take on Tunisia in their second tie on Thursday. Tunisia, led by Malek Jaziri, who’s ranked 111 in the world, Skander Mansouri, Aziz Dougaz and Aziz Ouakaa, are currently top of Pool A, following a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mozambique.

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Nigeria and Tunisia share some history, having met twice at this event. First in 1986, when Nigeria, then led by Nduka Odizor and Tony Mmoh, claimed a 5-0 victory in the Tunisian capital, Tunis. In 2009, both nations would meet again in La Marsa, Tunisia, with the host team securing a 3-0 win to keep the head-to-head record at 1-1.

In the other Pool A tie, Namibia takes on Mozambique.