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Zimbabwe’s Under-14 girls’ team at the zonal tennis championships in Namibia recently. From left, co-coach Alison Fryer, Claire Machisa, Rufaro Magarira, Tsitsi Mahere and co-coach Thesly Mufunda

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FIVE Zimbabwean players qualified for the African Tennis Junior Championships finals set for Benoni, South Africa, in March following strong performances at the just ended CAT Southern Zonal Championships held in Namibia.

Rufaro Magarira, a losing finalist in the girls’ Under-14, and the quartet of Under-14 boys’ duo Ethan Sibanda and Taona Mhwandagara, Anesu Kwirai, who took part in the Under-16 boys, and Under-16 girls’ member Vimbai Moyo will represent the country at the Benoni continental meet.Magarira lost to Sarah Intrasaco of Mauritius in the final of the CAT Southern Zonal Championships on January 18 in Windhoek to secure a place in the African Tennis Junior Championships.

Sibanda, Mhwandagara, Kwirai and Moyo were losing quarter-finalists in their respective events.

An elated Team Zimbabwe co-coach Thesly Mufunda praised the aspiring tennis aces and encouraged them to work on their shortcomings ahead of the South African trip.

“The players did well in Namibia and we’re now looking forward to the Africa Tennis junior Championships in Benoni. We had five players securing automatic qualification, while three are waiting for the ITF to give them the green light to compete in South Africa on a wild card entry.

Claire Machisi, Charlotte Zhuwakini and Thabo Ncube will be hoping the ITF grants them wild card entries to fulfil their dreams.

“Going forward, we have to work on our shortcomings. Technically we matched our opponents and had the ability to dominate play, but we struggled to finish out the points, especially during crucial games. Our doubles let us down in the team events and we need to work hard to improve. There is also need to work on the players’ mental strength as well so that they don’t lose focus and concentrate throughout their respective games,” said Mufunda.

Zimbabwe finished third at the Zonal Championships behind champions South Africa and Madagascar, thereby missing an opportunity to compete in the Fed Cup and Davies Cup.

Twelve countries, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia took part in the Windhoek tournament.

@ZililoR