Nigeria Davis Cup head coach Benson Ishicheli says his players are mentally prepared for the hostile atmosphere awaiting them in Rabat as they battle Morocco for a place in the Davis Cup World Group I.
Nigeria face the North Africans on September 19 and 20 at the Union Sportive des Cheminots de Tennis du Maroc, with Ishicheli confident that playing away from home will not overwhelm his team.
The Nigerians arrived in Rabat early and have been training at the match venue, giving the players time to adjust to the conditions and court surface before the crucial tie.
For Ishicheli, however, the psychological battle could prove just as important as the tennis.
With Morocco expected to enjoy strong home support, the coach believes his players understand the challenge and are ready to compete without being intimidated by the atmosphere.
Nigeria have also spent weeks preparing for the encounter, with Daniel Adeleye, Canice Abua, Michael Emmanuel and Yusuf Abubakar forming the core of the team in Rabat.
Teenage prospect Oluwaseun Ogunsakin, who recently made Nigerian Grand Slam history at the US Open, was expected to join the squad, although his participation has since become uncertain due to circumstances reportedly beyond his control.
The stakes are significant.
Nigeria reached this stage after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 in February, ending a wait of more than three decades to return to this level of Davis Cup competition.
They must now overcome another historical obstacle: Nigeria have lost all four previous Davis Cup meetings with Morocco.
But Ishicheli’s message ahead of the showdown is one of belief rather than fear.
Morocco may have history and home support on their side, but Nigeria intend to walk onto the Rabat court ready to compete — not intimidated.
