Nigeria made history by defeating No.9 seeds Brazil 2-1 in the women’s team event, recording the nation’s first-ever match victory at the World Squash Junior Team Championships just one day after making their debut in the competition.
“We are really excited. We are so happy to get our first win as a team,” head coach Jonah Ibrahim said after Nigeria’s breakthrough victory. “It feels so rewarding and gives us a lot more confidence.”
After opening their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to hosts Canada, the Nigerians produced a resilient display featuring two dramatic five-game victories to stun the South Americans.
The tie, played in the 2-3-1 match order, began with Awawu Balogun giving Nigeria the perfect start. The No.2 string raced into a two-game lead over Giulia Collenoni before the Brazilian battled back to level the contest at 2-2. Under mounting pressure, Balogun regained control in the deciding game, cruising to an 11-3 victory to hand Nigeria an early advantage.
Delight Allison then sealed the historic result in equally dramatic fashion. After falling 2-1 behind against Sara Guerra Barboza, Allison forced a decider by taking the fourth game 11-7 before dominating the fifth 11-2 to clinch both the match and the tie.
Although the outcome had already been decided, Brazil’s top string Laura Silva defeated Mosturah Durosinlorun in straight games in the final rubber, leaving Nigeria 2-1 winners overall.
Attah praised his players’ composure during the decisive moments of both matches.
“It was so tight, and there was a lot of expectation, but they were able to rise above it and get the first win,” he said. “This will give us a lot of confidence, and we are telling them to express themselves and play their own way and have fun.”
Nigeria complete their group-stage campaign against defending champions Egypt, who head into the contest after a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada.
Elsewhere, Hong Kong, China booked their place in the men’s Round of 16 with a comeback 2-1 victory over South Africa after Long Hin Larry Wong won the deciding rubber in straight games.
Malaysia claimed one of the standout results in the women’s competition, defeating fifth seeds India 2-1 thanks to Doyce Ye San Lee’s hard-fought five-game win over Anika Dubey. Hosts Canada, Germany, Australia and Kuwait also secured victories to confirm places in the men’s knockout stage, with the Round of 16 beginning on Monday.