CBN Junior Tennis Championship: Yahaya, Atilola Named Most Outstanding Players

LAGOS — The 2025 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Junior Tennis Championship concluded in grand style at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, with rising stars Mofi Atilola and Issah Yahaya named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Players.

The weeklong event, which began with preliminary rounds at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, showcased a high standard of play, energy, and passion from Nigeria’s young tennis talents—providing a glimpse of a promising future for the sport in the country.

One of the standout moments came in the Girls 14 final, where top seed and defending champion Mofi Atilola of Mainland Tennis Club, Lagos, dominated Godwin Success in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. Atilola raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set before her opponent managed to win a game, but Atilola quickly sealed the set.

In the second set, she led 4-0, but Success fought back to level the score at 4-4. Atilola, however, regained control and closed out the match.

Atilola also impressed in the Girls 16 category, where she had been granted a wildcard entry.

She created a major upset in the semifinals, defeating defending champion Gloria Samuel 6-1, 6-4, to reach her second final of the tournament.

However, her bid for a second title fell short as Goodnews Aina from Ekiti State overpowered her 6-1, 6-3 in the final.In the Boys 14 category, Issah Yahaya overcame Lagos-based Michael Joel in a dramatic match, winning 6-0, 0-6, 10-5.

Yahaya’s resilience and overall performance throughout the tournament earned him the Boys’ Most Outstanding Player award.Other winners at the tournament included Ogoniba Excellency from Bayelsa State, who won the Boys 12 title after defeating Ogungbe Emmanuel of Ogun State 6-3, 6-4.

In the Girls 12 final, Opuene Karina came from behind to beat Rasaki Mabubat 3-6, 7-5, 10-9 in a thrilling contest.Both Mofi Atilola and Issah Yahaya received giant trophies in recognition of their exceptional performances, having demonstrated not only talent but also remarkable determination and sportsmanship throughout the championship.

The 2025 CBN Junior Tennis Championship once again highlighted the growing potential of Nigerian youth in tennis, setting the stage for even greater accomplishments on the national and international stage.