The Nigerian team lost 1-2 to their counterparts from Namibia in the Group III tournament held in Nairobi, Kenya which attracted 13 countries.
Hosts Kenya joined Namibia in the 2019 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II as they also defeated Benin Republic 2-1.
Sylvester Emmanuel a.k.a. Major had given Nigeria hope with a brilliant performance as he hammered 27-year-old Jean Erasmus 6-1, 6-2 in the first rubber.
However, the Nigerian team failed to build on Emmanuel's victory as Christian Paul retired in the second rubber against Tukhula Jacobs.
Christian who played for Team Kalotari last season sustained an injury and had no option but to retire with scores at 2-3 in the second set. He had earlier lost the first set 1-6 to Tukhula.
Nigeria bungled the ticket as Joseph Imeh and Sylvester Emmanuel lost 7-6(1), 6-4 to the duo of Jean Erasmus and Tukhula Jacobs in the final rubber.
Meanwhile, Kenya which last hosted the Davis Cup in 2002 recorded victory in the first rubber when Sheil Kotecha pipped Delmas N'tcha 6-4, 6-4.
Alexis Klegou restored hope for the Beninoise when he defeated Kenya's top seed Ismael Changawa 7-6, 6-4 in the second rubber.
The Kenyans in the doubles eventually triumphed as the duo of Changawa and Ibrahim Kibet beat Felix Hounkpevi and Klegou 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to grab the ticket to feature at the 2019 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II.
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Caption:
Christian Paul, sustained an injury during his game against Namibia's Tukhula Jacobs.
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