In front of a roaring crowd, tennis makes its mark
Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 1, 2025 11:51
Ntungamili Raguin emerged as the fulcrum of a successful Davis Cup campaign following four days of top-class tennis at the National Tennis Centre. Denzel Seetso, a central character in Botswana's recent tennis victories, was afforded rare minutes off the court as Raguin assumed the starring role, ultimately leading his nation to glory. Non-playing captain and one of Botswana's most decorated players, Phenyo Matong was presented with a healthy selection headache with the ever-reliable Mark Nawa ensuring the country has a potent trident to pick from, particularly for the singles matches. In 2024, Botswana had come agonisingly close to gaining promotion to the Davis Cup Africa Division IV, but surrendered right at the death to an inspired Gabon. This year's campaign was also a hard-fought battle of wits despite the team cruising in the group stage matches, where they did not drop a set. The campaign kicked off with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Libya, with Ranguin getting the campaign off the ground with a convincing straight-sets win.
Seetso secured the other victory, whilst Nawa partnered with Tsholofelo Tsiang to drive Botswana on the road to a thumping victory. The second match against Congo proved to be a walk in the park with Botswana cruising to a dominant 3-0 victory without even losing a game. Evidence of Botswana's pool of talent was on display as Matong shuffled his cards, with Tsiang and Nawa involved in the singles whilst Raguin and Esi Molefe were tasked with the doubles duties. Seetso enjoyed a rare off day, as Botswana proved too strong for its opponents on the day. Their final group stage match against Ethiopia saw Raguin again tasked with playing the first singles match, and he proved why he has been in rich vein of form on the international circuit with a 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Yabets Kebede. In the second match, Nawa maintained the rhythm with a 6-0, 6-1 shellacking of Dawit Musa.
Despite progress to the promotion play-off almost guaranteed, Botswana did not remove the foot off the accelerator in the doubles, after Molefe and Seetso partnered to secure a 3-0 victory. Eyes were now on Botswana as the team secured a spot in the promotion play-offs against Madagascar, which were scheduled for Saturday. Again, Matong had seen enough of Raguin to trust him with the first singles match against Madagascar's Lucas Adriamasilalao and the 16-year-old responded with another flawless display as he bagged a 6-3, 6-2 win. Raguin's win was the crucial platform on which Botswana's ultimate victory was built upon. In the second match, a sense of déjà vu swept across the National Tennis Centre as French-based Valentin Rakotondrasoa stunned Seetso 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 — handing Botswana their first dropped set of the tournament. The boisterous crowd had to readjust as the match was now in the balance with the promotion hopes resting on the doubles match. Madagascar had the momentum after levelling the tie 1-1. Once again, Raguin was in the thick of the action, partnering with Nawa as the duo carried the nation’s heavy expectations on their shoulders. The first set went Botswana's way, but the Madagascan pair of Rakotondrasoa and Antso Rakotondramanga levelled the ledger in the second set to send the tie to a deciding third set. Nawa and Raguin were ruthless, sealing the match — and promotion to Group IV — with a 6-1 third set that sent the crowd into delirium.
Fans poured into the court to join the team, soaking in the rare moment as Dr Vom's ageless sports anthem provided the perfect backdrop, summing up tennis' recent positive trajectory. Captain Matong was ecstatic, promising more is to come from the team. 'The future is very bright. For depth on the team, we have Batsomi Marobela, who was part of the team but did not play. There is Seabo Saleshando also on par with guys in our team, having recently made the semi-finals in ITFs in South Africa. There is Tshepho Mosarwa also capable of being part of the team, who could not take part due to school commitments in the US,' Matong said. 'I see these guys continuing to do amazing (things) for the next few years,' he added.
Matong is confident the team is not in Group IV to make the numbers. 'I believe these guys belong in higher groups. The goal is to instantly build our players' confidence already for Group III. They stand a good chance of maintaining their status and eventually moving up,' he said. Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president, Oaitse Thipe, whose code is riding the crest of the wave, was naturally elated with the achievement. Tennis has emerged as one of the Botswana National Sport Commission's (BNSC) best-performing codes and bagged five awards at the recent Botswana Awards ceremony.
Meanwhile, the women's national team will be going to Namibia this weekend for the Billie Jean Cup, the women's World Cup. The team is made up of Ekua Youri, Naledi Raguin, Chelsea Chakanyuka, and Tshego Tsiang. Ernest Seleke is the coach. Participating countries are Algeria, Botswana, Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.