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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe Davis Cup tennis team captain Freeman Nyamunokora saluted his side after earning promotion back to the World Group II Play-offs when beating Namibia 2-1 in a promotional play-off at the Africa Group III event in Algiers, Algeria.

The event was held from last Wednesday to Saturday with eight countries — Algeria, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe — divided into two pools, taking part.

Zimbabwe were in Pool A together with Benin, Mozambique and Cote d’Ivoire while Pool B was made up of Morocco, Kenya, Namibia and Algeria.

Nyamunokora led a team made up of the Lock brothers — Benjamin and Courtney — Mehluli Sibanda and Benedict Badza.

There were three slots for promotion. Cote d’Ivoire and Morocco were directly promoted after emerging as the winners of Pool A and Pool B respectively.

Zimbabwe finished second in Pool A behind Cote d’Ivoire and had to go for the promotional play-off against Namibia, who were placed second in Pool B.

“Honestly, I think we really did well. Yes, if you look at the rankings, we are quite ahead but if you check every team here was tough. Getting the last slot really did not matter it could have been Benin or Cote d’Ivoire, they have good players too,” said Nyamunokora.

After losing their first tie, Zimbabwe quickly bounced back to winning ways to win their ties against Benin and Mozambique to remain on course for promotion.

They beat Benin 2-1 in the second tie and dismissed Mozambique 3-0 in their last tie in Pool A. This saw them finishing second in the Pool to progress to the play-off that took place on Saturday to determine the third team to be promoted.

And they put up a good fight to overcome Namibia to earn their ticket back to the World Group II Play-offs.

Zimbabwe had to come from behind to win the tie after Sibanda lost the first singles match 3-6, 4-6 to Connor Henry Van Schalkwyk.

Benjamin Lock then beat Codie Schalk Van Schalkwyk 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(5) to level the scores.

Benjamin then teamed-up with his brother Courtney for the doubles and they won 6-0, 6-1 against the Van Schalkwyk brothers.

“Look as a team the day we lost to Cote d’Ivoire we knew what we had to do, fight for every game out there and we did that. I am glad we kept our shoulders up.

“Namibia tie, it was a tough tie mentally for us knowing that we had to deliver. Without taking anything away from the Namibia team, they are good players, those brothers Codie and Connor.

“We are happy we got promoted for now and we will go back on the drawing board and see the best ways to help our players individually,” said Nyamunokora.

Zimbabwe were relegated to the Africa Group III after losing to El Salvador in the World Group II Play-offs at Harare Sports Club in March. The promotion over the weekend is a positive development for tennis in this country.  Mozambique and Kenya were relegated to compete in Africa Group IV in 2023.