Nigeria’s Davis Cup captain, Coach Benson Ishicheli, has explained the absence of highly rated player Christopher Bulus from the ongoing World Group II Playoff tie against Uzbekistan in Lagos, while also expressing concern over the limited competitive exposure available to local players.
Speaking after the opening matches of the tie at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Ishicheli revealed that Bulus missed the crucial encounter due to injury, describing his absence as a significant setback for the Nigerian team.
“I really missed Bulus Christopher. He is a giant killer and very exposed, having played a lot of competitions. He was well prepared for this tie, but unfortunately got injured,” the coach said. “If he were here, we could be two-love up by now.”
The Nigeria coach also used the opportunity to criticise the lack of regular championships and tournaments for home-based players, noting that inadequate exposure has continued to affect the team’s competitiveness at the international level.
“We need more international competitions. My players are not that exposed. We need more local and international tournaments,” Ishicheli stated. “The last major competition was the Dala tournament last year.”
Drawing a comparison with Nigeria’s opponents, the coach pointed out that Uzbekistan’s top players benefit from constant participation in international events.
“You can see that Uzbekistan’s number one player is coming from Kuwait, where he has been competing and winning,” he added.
Ishicheli appealed to the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), the National Sports Commission, and the private sector to invest more in tennis development by providing players with consistent competitive platforms.
According to him, increased investment in local and international tournaments would go a long way in improving player development and boosting Nigeria’s chances in future Davis Cup outings.
