Bulawayo tennis squads ready for tournament

The inter-provincials will run from Thursday to Sunday and will be used to select Zimbabwe’s representatives for a regional competition that is set for next month in South Africa.
The girls’ finals will be played at Chisipite Girls High School with St Johns and St George’s Colleges playing host to the boys’ competitions.
Part of the 24 school-going boys team players wound up their preparations in South Africa at the weekend where they played in a Gauteng Province organised tournament while the girls’ team trained in Bulawayo.
In a telephone interview from South Africa yesterday, the boys’ team coach Artwell Mutape said his charges were ready for the national competition.
“We are rounding up our preparations for the Harare tournament and I must say the boys are ready and raring to go. We are anticipating a tough competition at the schools’ finals and I am glad that the team understands what to expect.
“I have some of the boys with me here in South Africa where we were invited for a Gauteng North competition that started on Friday in Pretoria and ends today (yesterday),” Mutape said.
Players from CBC and Falcon College make up the bulk number of the team with only Under-17 star Friedlander Kadzombe coming from Gifford.
Kadzombe has in the past represented Bulawayo Metropolitan Province in a number of tournaments and is in the team that has five Falcon College players Frank Dollar, Brandon Williams, Munashe Mazorodze, Michael Small and Andrew Bennie.
CBC’s duo of Banele Tshuma and one Magosonwe complete the Under-17 team.
Falcon College’s Bryn Langley has lots of experience and last year competed in the inaugural Girls College Tennis Centre Singles League that was for senior players.
Langley, who is in the Under-19 team has won a number of local tournaments.
The girls’ team coach Adam Joelson was also happy with their preparations.
“Everything is looking good. We had our final training at the weekend and everyone is looking forward to the Harare trip. We are going there to win not to make numbers,” Joelson said.
Players from Girls College and Dominican Convent make up the bulk of the team with only two players coming from other schools – Dimitra Markou of Petra High School and Masiyephambili’s Bukale Mkombwe.
The two are in the Under-19 team which has top players like Thembela Ndlovu of Dominican Convent, Girls College duo of Nomakhosazana Nkala and Atida Sibanda.
Teams
Boys: Under-15 – Adam Keefe, Ruhan Scheepers, Tristen Rance, Tinotenda Mabhudhu (all Falcon College), Thamsanqa Sibanda, Mdumisi Moyo, Andisiwe Dube, Alvin Simango (all CBC), Brandon Tankwa, Ariel Aranatja (both Petra)
Under-17: Friedlander Kadzombe (Gifford), Frank Dollar, Brandon Williams, Munashe Mazorodze, Michael Small, Andrew Bennie (all Falcon), Banele Tshuma, Magosonwe (both CBC)
Under-19: Bryn Langley, Blair Dhana, Tafadzwa Dhafana (all Falcon College), Tinashe Shoko, Kevin Aranatja (Petra).
Girls: Under-17 – Nicole Dumbujena, Maxine Nkomo, Tanya Magonya, Ruvimbo Samanga (all Dominican Convent), Bongai Sigauke, Nothando Mashingaidze, Tsungai Makura, Thembelani Mhlophe (all Girls College)
Under-19: Nomakhosazana Nkala, Atida Sibanda, Karren Nyakabau (all Girls College), Bukhale Mkombwa (Masiyephambili), Thembela Ndlovu, Erica Moyo, Nokuthabo Thaka, Hotenca Sibanda, Lisa Mhlophe (all Dominican Convent), Dimitra Markou (Petra).