Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHAT next for the free-falling Zimbabwe Davis Cup team?
The country will have to wait a bit longer for promotion back into the Davis Cup Africa Group III after suffering a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Ghana in the Group IV promotion play-offs over the weekend in Nairobi, Kenya.
Zimbabwe made the promotion play-offs when completing their Pool B ties unbeaten, and needed to win against Ghana on Saturday to earn a spot back into Africa Group III.
But they found the going tough as they lost both their singles matches with Ronan Mtisi losing 4-6, 0-6 to Samuel Agbesi Osei Antwi.
Courtney Lock lost 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-2 to Abraham Asaba for Ghana to get one of the two promotion slots to Africa Group III.
Zimbabwe remain in Group IV.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub after the tie, captain Gwinyai Tongoona conceded they lost to a better side.
“Yes, it didn’t go our way today but players gave it their best effort. Credit to the Ghana team they really showed up today.
“Both their players played very well today,” said Tongoona.
The other members of the team were Zamani Moyo, Makanaka Whata and Sean Tarubekera, who came in as a junior player.Zimbabwe were missing their top player Benjamin Lock due to injury, and again it exposed the lack of depth within the Davis Cup team.
Courtney Lock was the most experienced player in a rather youthful side.
Last year Zimbabwe struggled during their Africa Group III campaign in the absence of Benjamin Lock and were demoted to the Africa Group IV when losing all their ties in a five-nation tournament held at Harare Sports Club.
Tongoona emphasised the need to invest in players to broaden the pool and have the needed depth to find their way back among the best in the Davis Cup competition.
“We have a youthful side and staying in Group IV is okay.
“We have to invest in the players who are now making up the team.
“They need to play more tournaments. They need to train at a high level, and put in hours on court and off court in the gym.”
Tongoona is confident they will find their breakthrough.
“We have been in Group IV before and worked our way out. We will put every effort to move back up.
“We are grateful for all the support we have received to keep this team competing,” said Tongoona.
Courtney described the loss as tough having finishing tops in Pool B and giving their best on the last day of the event. “We left everything out there and fought hard. Prepared well, no regrets,” said Courtney.
Courtney noted the best way moving forward is to have “more depth in the team. We have some guys playing college tennis in USA, and also missing Benji the last 18 months has been really tough.
“Continue to host tournaments and more investment into the sport, we need it. Overall, (I am) very proud of the way the team battled and fought all week. Ronan played some really good tennis and has improved a lot. It’s always a pleasure having Gwinyai as the captain.”
Algeria joins Ghana in the Africa Group III after beating Angola 2-0.
Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo were demoted to Africa Group V when losing in the relegation play-offs.
Mozambique lost 3-0 to Kenya while the Democratic Republic of Congo were beaten 2-0 by Botswana.
