Zimpapers Logo

Club tennis competition in South Africa.
The three-day tournament started on Friday and ended on Sunday featuring four countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa.

Zimbabwe took part in the Under-16 age-group represented by Tadiwa Mberi and Alywn Mushonga in the boys’ category and Thabile Tshatedi and South Africa-based Nicole Dzenga in the girls’ section.
The tournament was a team event and Zimbabwe outclassed Botswana 6-0 in their opening match on Friday before defeating Namibia 4-2 in their second match on Saturday to reach the finals.
However, they were overpowered by South Africa 6-0. TZ administrator, Cliff Nhokwara, commended the four players for a good performance despite losing to their rivals South Africa.

“We played well in our first two matches unfortunately we lost to South Africa in the finals.
“The players did very well against the first two teams, psychologically they were geared up.
“South Africa knew about the tournament for some time and were well prepared while we only got to know about the event late and we were barely prepared.

“And, also maybe, we were just afraid of South Africa,” said Nhokwara.
Zimbabwe always play second fiddle to South Africa and Nhokwara said there was need to keep engaging their neighbours to improve the standards of sport locally.
“Taking part in these tournaments will certainly help our players particularly when facing South Africa because we always lose to them.

“The important thing is to keep on playing them and prove that they are not super human beings.
“The more we play them the more we get used to their players.
“It will also give our coaches an opportunity to make assessments and see what needs to be done,” added Nhokwara.

The TZ administrator said this is the first time for the Southern Africa to host the international club competition, which used to focus on senior players only.
“The international club was formed in England in 1924 and spread to other countries.