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Sports Writer
THE Zimbabwe Davis Cup team will be seeking to bounce into the World Group II when they take to the court at the Africa Group III event at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
The competition begins today and ends on Saturday with eight countries — Algeria, Benin, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa and Zimbabwe — competing.
Three teams from the tournament will be promoted to play in the World Group II Play-offs in 2024.
Two teams will be relegated to Africa Group IV.
Zimbabwe’s team made up of captain Takanyi Garanganga, Benjamin Lock, Liberty Nzula, Benedict Badza and Takura Mhwandagara, arrived in South Africa on Monday.
“The players arrived in South Africa on the 7th of August from different ATP and ITF tournaments, which were part of their tournament preparations.
“The platinum sponsor for the Davis Cup team is Econet,” read part of the statement by Tennis Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe were relegated to Africa Group III when they lost 2-3 to Uruguay in a World Group II Play-off in February.
They are up against Benin, Namibia and Senegal in Group B.
Group A is made up of South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria and Togo.
The group stages will be played in a round-robin format and the final positions will be determined by positional play-offs.
The top teams from the two groups will be automatically promoted. The teams that finish second in the two groups face off in the play-off for the third slot.
Zimbabwe will be hoping to make the top three if they are to earn promotion back into the World Group II.
They will be banking their hopes on Benjamin Lock, who is the country’s top player and has been part of the Davis Cup team for quite some time.
They will also be hoping their upcoming players Badza and Mhwandagara rise to the challenge in the absence of Courtney Lock and Mehluli Sibanda, who have become regular players for the team.
TZ general manager Kupakwashe Mukurumbira confirmed is out due to an injury.
“Yes, he is injured and recovering…Mehluli Sibanda recently started playing after recovering from (a) long term injury hence was withdrawn,” said Mukurumbira.
Mhwandagara was part of the development squad when Zimbabwe hosted Uruguay and he expressed his excitement to be part of the team before leaving for South Africa.
“I feel like it’s a really big opportunity. I feel very fortunate to be chosen for the senior team, it’s a big thing.
“I know I am playing in a position that a lot of good players, some of the best players from Zimbabwe have played in…I just feel very happy, very excited also for the competition that I am going to be playing because it’s a very high level,” said Mhwandagara.
He took part at last week’s ITF J60 tournament at Harare Sports Club.
Online Reporter