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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
NICOLE Matukutire took first place in the Africa Junior Zonal Tennis Championships Under-14 category held in Botswana while Rufaro Mugarira emerged third.

The Zimbabwe Under-14 and Under-16 national tennis teams took part in the tournament that included teams from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia and Swaziland.

The Bulawayo-based Matukutire won the singles gold after thrashing Greyling Line of South Africa 6-1, 6-1 in the final while Mugarira was rated third in the Under-14 age group despite losing 6-7 0-6 to Jessica Portwig in her final game.

Vimbai Moyo and Tsitsi Mahere won silver in the doubles category.

Zimbabwe team coach Farai Tapfuma was elated with the individual and overall team performances.

“I would like to thank all parents for the support they gave the team. They gave their best and we were runners-up in the Under-14 category, which is impressive. Our performance was fairly good,” said Tapfuma.

“Our Under-16 players need to play more Under-18 International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments and Under-14s should take part in more Central Africa Tennis (CAT) meets to get more international exposure,” he said.

The Under-16 team comprised Mugarira, Vimbai Moyo and Tsitsi Mahere in the girls’ category, while Tinashe Taruberekera, Taona Muhwandagara and Zamani Moyo were in the boys team.

The Under-14 girls’ team consisted of Matukutire, Claire Machisa and Ruvarashe Shoko while Michael Happy, Tinaye Badza and Moyo represented the boys’ side.