BJK Cup 2023: Kenya seek bronze place finish as Tunisia, Morocco battle for promotion on final day

Kenya, hosts of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III, will be hoping to end the tournament on a positive note when they face off against Zimbabwe in the 3/4th place playoff match at the Nairobi Club on Saturday.

The Francis Rogoi-coached side just fell short of playing the much desired promotion playoff tie to Group II as they were beaten 2-1 by Nigeria on Friday to ensure that they could not finish in top spot owing to their inferior number of matches won (9) compared to Morocco's 11 with the two nations having tied on four points each.

Following the defeat, which was the first Kenya tasted in the twelve team competition after wins over Morocco, Botswana, Uganda and Namibia, the team will now be hoping to take third position which is the highest they can manage from the tournament.

"I know we gave our all but unfortunately things did not go our way. Despite that, I feel we have improved mentally and tennis wise as a team and I know we are going to come back stronger against Zimbabwe," Kenya's Angella Okutoyi said.

No matter how the game goes on Saturday, Kenya will have made a massive improvement in their performance as they finished in eleventh position during the 2022 edition held in North Macedonia.

Elsewhere, North African sides Morocco and Tunisia will fight on Centre Court as to who will get promotion to Group II next year.

The two teams earned the slot courtesy of finishing as winners in Pool A and Pool B respectively.

Tunisia will head into the encounter brimming on confidence after winning all their five matches.

Morocco, on the other hand, tasted one defeat and will have the know-how of how to overcome tough situations.

The Moroccans also have the experience of playing on Centre Court after their match against Kenya unlike the Tunisians.

BJK Cup 2023: Heartbreak for Kenya as Nigeria deny hosts top spot in Pool A

In other matches, the Jollof Derby is in store as Nigeria take on Ghana in the 5/6th playoff match after both teams finished third in their pools.

Botswana take on Mauritius in the 7/8th playoff, Namibia face Burundi in the 9/10th playoff with Uganda and Seychelles meeting in the 11/12th playoff.

The team that loses between Uganda and Seychelles will be relegated to Group IV.

Matches start at 1000 EAT.

Matches

Morocco vs Tunisia - Centre Court

Kenya vs Zimbabwe - Court 8

Nigeria vs Ghana - Court 1

Botswana vs Mauritius - Court 2

Namibia vs Burundi - Court 6

Uganda vs Seychelles - Court 7