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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE are likely to retain the same players that represented the country last year against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II, says Davis Cup team captain Martin Dzuwa.

Zimbabwe will be travelling to Finland for their first match pencilled in for March 4 to 6.

If they win they will take on either Georgia or Denmark in the second round scheduled for July and if they pull through they will then go for the play-offs for promotion.

The team was made up of Takanyi Garanganga, the Lock brothers – Benjamin and Courtney -Mark Fynn while Tadiwa Chinamo came in a reserve player.

Dzuwa said besides the top four players in the team they are also monitoring United States-based Mbonisi Ndimande and Tinotenda Chanakira in the event something happens to the other players.

He also said they are considering two junior players – Tadiwa Chinamo and Mehluli Sibanda – to join the team as part of a long-term plan for development.

“We are waiting for response from the players if they are available. The team might be the same.

“If funds permit we would like to have the top two junior players in the team – Tadiwa Chinamo and Mehluli Sibanda.

“It’s part of my long-term plan to have them to try and push our juniors to turn professional. They have to know what is required for them to get that far.

“We have Garanganga, Fynn and Benji, who is still young but we will not have them for a long time, so we don’t want to have a gap in the team.

“With tennis usually the world rankings determines if you are in the team but like what I am saying the depth in our tennis is shallow, so we will always have the same guys. You always want to have the best team and luckily these are the same players because of their rankings,” said Dzuwa.

The team captain said although it’s going to be a tough match against Finland, he has faith in his team.

“I think it’s good that I am captain again. I have been with the team for some time now. This will be third time. It’s going to be a tough match against Finland in Finland. It’s going to be indoors, really different and where we are going to play the weather conditions are not favourable for us.

Preparations for the match are already underway and TZ president Regis Bhunu said the team captain and the selection committee have indicated that they are going to announce the team about two weeks before the match.

“The team captain and conveners agreed that they will announce the team just about two to three weeks before (the tie) for the sake that they want to monitor the guys and see if none of them picks up an injury,” said Bhunu.

Bhunu said depending with the resources they would want the team to be together for at least two weeks before taking on their opponents.

Zimbabwe remained in Group II when they beat Moldova 5-0 at Harare Sports Club in the relegation play-offs. They had lost the first tie 4-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina before they redeemed themselves at the same venue as they hosted both matches. If Zimbabwe lose against Finland they will go for the relegation play-offs to remain in Group II.