Team Nigeria bounced back from a disappointing outing in the women’s singles as four Nigerian pairs qualified for the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles at the 9th Lagos International Badminton Classic.

Seven Nigerian players had earlier exited the women’s singles in the Round of 32 at the tournament.

The competition is taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The tournament, which began on Wednesday August 26, is scheduled to end on Saturday August 29, 2026.

Nigeria’s number-one ranked player, Ruth Ebere, was among the casualties in the women’s singles after losing to India’s Surya Tamiri.

Tolulope Oluwadamilola, Kadijat Emiola, Ifeoluwa Ojo, Precious Oluwagbotemi, Peace Jonah and Naomi Tanko also lost their respective Round-of-32 encounters.

However, Nigeria produced a much-improved performance in the mixed doubles, with four pairs advancing to the quarter-finals.

Victor Ikechukwu and Emiola defeated Uganda’s Ray Nsubuga and Tracy Naluwooza 21-18, 21-12.

Saidu Aliyu and Christiana Obasanmi also advanced after receiving a walkover against India’s Sai Pratheek and Srinidi Narayan.

Kayode Abdulateef and Cynthia Feranmi overcame Ghana’s Ofori Acheampong and Racheal Quarcoo 21-15, 23-21 in a keenly contested encounter.

On Court 4, Usman Afolabi and Zainab Alabi fought back from a first-set loss to defeat the United Arab Emirates-Australia combination of S. Munnangi and Stret Yellapragada 14-21, 21-13, 21-17.

Meanwhile, top seeds Dhruv Rawat and Mannesha K received a bye into the next round.

Uganda’s Muzafaru Lubega and Gladys Mabazi defeated Nigeria’s Akinsola and Aminat Ilori to progress.

Ghana’s Lesllie Addo and Jennifer Eduam also secured a quarter-final berth after defeating Nigeria’s Daniel Oyinlola and Samantha Oluwatunmise.

India’s S. Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma completed the quarter-final line-up after defeating Nigeria’s Aliyu Shehu and U. Ukeh.

The mixed doubles results provide Nigeria with an opportunity to recover from the early setbacks suffered in the women’s singles and remain in contention for honours on home soil.

The Lagos International Badminton Classic continues at the National Stadium, with players from several countries competing for honours across the various events.