Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Davis Cup team captain Gwinyai Tongoona has tipped his young team to rise to the challenge as they go out on a redemption mission in the Africa Group IV campaign in Nairobi, Kenya, tomorrow.
The tournament will feature eight countries — Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe — and will run until Saturday.
Zimbabwe were relegated to Group IV last year when losing all their ties in a five-nation Africa Group III tournament held at Harare Sports Club.
The Africa Group III event featured Algeria, Nigeria, Namibia, Senegal and the hosts Zimbabwe.
Tongoona is leading a team made up of Courtney Lock who is the most experienced in this group, Ronan Mtisi, Zamani Moyo, Makanaka Whata and Sean Taruberekera.
Taruberekera comes in as the junior player for development purposes.
The eight participating countries will be grouped into two pools of four and will battle it out for two promotion spots for next year’s Davis Cup Africa Group III.
Zimbabwe are already in Nairobi and will have their last practice sessions together as a team today before the competition begins tomorrow.
“We have a young team right now and Courtney is the senior. Players have worked hard and are ready to compete.
“We have had a couple of good practice sessions yesterday and today. We have one more session today and two more tomorrow, and ready to start on Wednesday,” said Tongoona.
The tournament takes off with the round-robin matches from tomorrow to Friday.
On Saturday, play-offs between the nations finishing first and second in each pool will determine the recipients of the two promotion spots for next year’s Davis Cup Africa Group III.
Zimbabwe will be missing their top player, Benjamin Lock due to an injury.
Tongoona has admitted that they will miss his presence as he has over the years proved to be a key player for the team. “Benjamin is out injured. He would have loved to represent the country but unfortunately, he’s not able to at the moment.
“Yes, we will miss his presence in the team. Over the years he has always contributed with results and leadership.
“Our team is young and needs more exposure as time goes.
“We, as a country, need to invest in these players to get them up to the highest level.
“Looking at teams that are here now, we will be able to compete. I believe we can make it to play-offs for promotion, and then we see who we play,” Tongoona said.
The spotlight will be on Courtney Lock, who has been part of the Davis Cup team for some time, Mtisi has also represented the country in the Davis Cup events.
“With Courtney and Ronan, we have a bit of experience, but I think the main thing is to work hard and fight one point at a time.
“We take it one match at a time. I have seen the teams that are here so far, I believe we have a chance to finish top two.
“This Davis Cup is important as always. We have a big responsibility to represent Zimbabwe well, and we are ready for the battles.”
The teams finishing third and fourth in each pool will compete in relegation play-offs, with the losers slipping into next year’s Davis Cup Africa Group V.
The draw is scheduled for today.
