Bhunu upbeat despite loss

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
TENNIS Zimbabwe president, Regis Bhunu is optimistic, the country will bounce back into the Europe/Africa Group II soon, following their demotion to the Africa Zone Group III over the weekend when they lost the relegation play-off against Georgia in Tbilisi.

Zimbabwe return to Africa Zone Group III after spending two years in Group II, having been promoted in 2014.

Before the elevation to the Europe/Africa Group II, Zimbabwe had spent seven years fighting for a place in Group II after they were relegated to the Africa Zone Group III in 2006.

Bhunu, however, believes with the current crop of players it will not take that long to return to Group II.

“All in all we lost but we played very well. I am not worried really because I think we are really in a position of strength compared to where we were before.

“If we look at the selection of the Davis Cup team this time around, we had a number of names which means there is continuity. We have players who will pull us back into Group II. They played really well. It was a competitive match.

“And the good thing is we have youngsters in our team, Mehluli (Sibanda) and Tadiwa Chinamo, who can come in and step up. I don’t believe we will go and spend two years in Group III.

“We are going to bounce back easily. At that stage you will see that our youngsters will be maturing, because if we look at the age of the current group, Benjamin, Courtney and Tadiwa, the variance of age is small,” said Bhunu.