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Takanyi Garanganga

Harare Bureau
ZIMBABWE’S Davis Cup team bounced back into the Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2018 after beating Kenya 2-0 in the promotional play-offs on Saturday in Cairo, Egypt.

The event featured nine countries, divided into Pool A and Pool B.

The top two teams from the pools met in the play-offs to determine the two that would get promoted.

Zimbabwe were up against Egypt, Rwanda and Nigeria in Pool A while Kenya were in Pool B together with Benin, Algeria, Libya and Botswana.

And in the promotional play-offs they met Pool B winners Kenya while Pool A winners Egypt played Benin, the runner-up in Pool B.

The team was made up of captain Martin Dzuwa, Takanyi Garanganga, the Lock brothers — Benjamin and Courtney —Tadiwa Chinamo and Mehluli Sibanda.

Their victory over Kenya saw them earning one of the two tickets to the Europe/Africa Zone Group II as Benjamin dismissed Sheil Kotecha 6-1, 6-1 in the first rubber and Garanganga sealed their victory with a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 win over Ismael Mzai.

Zimbabwe had earlier finished second behind Egypt in Pool A.

They beat Nigeria 2-1 and Rwanda 3-0 before they lost to Egypt 0-3 in the six-day event that began last Monday.

Egypt overcame Benin 2-0 to also get promotion into Group II.

Zimbabwe were demoted to the Africa Zone Group III after losing to Georgia in the relegation play-offs last year in Group II. They had lost the first tie to Finland.

Tennis Zimbabwe administrator, Cliff Nhokwara, said they were now waiting for the draw to take place in September.

The draw will determine whether their campaign will be at home or away just like last year.

“It’s good to be back in the Europe/Africa Group II. Hopefully, we are going to play at home and our local fans will get to watch our players play in Harare.

“It will encourage or inspire upcoming players  to take tennis seriously as a profession,” said Nhokwara.

Dzuwa, Chinamo and Sibanda are expected back in the country today while the Lock brothers remain in Egypt where they are taking part in some Futures tournaments.

Garanganga flew directly to his base in the United States.