CBN Junior Tennis: Agunbiade targets semi-final spot after back-to-back wins
By David Bolarinwa Akwa Ibom State’s Damilola Agunbiade put on an impressive display at the 2026 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Junior Tennis Championship on Tuesday, winning two matches in
By David Bolarinwa
Akwa Ibom State's Damilola Agunbiade put on an impressive display at the 2026 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Junior Tennis Championship on Tuesday, winning two matches in the Boys 16s category to move within touching distance of a semi-final berth.
Playing at the Tennis Courts of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, the confident teenager dispatched John Israel 9-3 in his opening outing before dismissing Oyo State's Joseph Austin 9-4 in the round-robin competition. One more victory is all he needs to advance to the last four.
Making his return to the tournament after a three-year absence — his 2023 participation was cut short by international engagements in Ghana — Agunbiade wasted no time serving notice of his intentions.
"I really trained hard for this CBN Junior Tennis and don't see any player that will stop me from lifting the trophy," the teenager declared after his second win.
His father and chaperone, Mr. Tunde Agunbiade, who accompanied him from Akwa Ibom, said his presence courtside was deliberate. "Accompanying him to tournaments like this is to boost his morale and encourage him to excel," he said.
Elsewhere in the Boys 16s category, tournament favourite and top seed Isa Yahaya suffered a fresh setback, going down 3-9 to Daniel Awe in a result that deepens his qualification crisis. Herman Afaramai also recorded a 9-3 win over Wisdom Effiong, while Mohammed Abdulakimo beat Rachael Awi 9-4 and Adesinka Alaba edged Godwin Afaramai 9-5.
In the Boys 12s, Gideon Peter was ruthless in a 9-0 demolition of Jedidiah Essien, with Moroti Sowemimo following up with a 9-2 win over Chimviegwu.
In the Girls 14s, Pinky Onyemenam was the standout performer, winning twice — beating Blessing Yusuf 9-1 and Amara Mohammed 9-2 — while Sinmi Olaniyan defeated Florence Adejokun 9-1.
But in the Girls 16s, it was a difficult day for the Wuraola sisters. Ziyyadat fell 3-9 to Omoyinka Ayinla and Khadijat suffered a similar 3-9 defeat to Barakat Ganiyu. Favour James, meanwhile, cruised to a 9-0 win over Sarah Peter.
In the Girls 12s, Venus Babalola outclassed Florence Adejokun 9-2, while Amirah Mohammed was equally dominant in a 9-0 victory over Lucia Stadiku.
Action continues at the National Stadium, Surulere as players battle for places ahead of Saturday's grand finale.
