Botswana falter in Davis Cup

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday May 14, 2010 00:00

The quartet of Shingirai Muzondiwa, Thabiso Mabaka, Bakang Mosinyi and Lefa Ashley Sibanda only won one game in the group stages, beating Congo 2-1.

They fell 3-0 to Zimbabwe in the opening game before a similar defeat to group favourites, Madagascar who topped the group.Botswana lost 3-0 to Kenya in the 11th to12th play-offs and eventually finished tied 11th out of 14 participating countries.

Their win against Congo came after singles players, Sibanda and Muzondiwa, won their respective matches before Mabaka and Mosinyi fell in the doubles.

Hosts, Morocco and Tunisia will play in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II after finishing joint winners.

The two North African countries were favoured to qualify for the next phase due to their experienced players and the use of clay courts in their countries.

Botswana's non-playing captain, Mthandazo Sibanda had told Mmegi Sport while in Morocco that although the clay court would disadvantage his players, they were adapting.

The team spent a week in Morocco to acclimatise and get used to playing on clay courts. Botswana players are used to all weather surfaces.

However, the team should take a leaf from Zimbabwe who came fifth although the players are also used to playing on hard courts.