S. OchiengChangawa to lead Kenyan team chasing promotion in Davis Cup Africa Group IV showdown in Rwanda
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 17.07.23. | 16:24
The top two sides in the eight-team competition will be promoted to Africa Group III
Kenya’s five-man team of Ismael Changawa, Ibrahim Kibet Yego, Kael Shalin Shah, Keean Shah and Derick Ominde will be hoping to gain back immediate promotion when the 2023 Davis Cup Africa Group IV Championship takes place in Kigali, Rwanda from 26-29 July.
This year’s edition will attract eight countries including Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, host nation Rwanda and will see the sides battle it out for the two promotion tickets available to Group III with the last two teams suffering relegation to Group V.
Kenya, who will be led into the tournament by coach George Oyoo, dropped down to Group IV after being beaten 2-1 by Benin in the 2022 Africa Group III relegation playoff in the tournament that was held in Algeria.
Speaking amidst preparations for the tournament, 3-time Kenya Open champion Changawa backed his side to be among the teams who will be fighting for promotion to Group III.
“Kenya is one of the teams to watch out for but Mozambique, who also dropped down to Group IV, also have a very good squad. I think the contest will be between us and them but I do not know how the other teams have prepared for the competition.
Nonetheless, I have faith that we will win. This is a team event so we need to win all our matches to get the win,” he said in an interview on KTN.
Rwanda hosted the 2022 edition which left Togo crowned champions after beating the hosts in the final. They were hence promoted to Africa Group III.
In the 2023 edition, the teams will be divided into two pools having four teams each. The group stages will be played in a round robin format throughout three days.
The top two in each group cross over in a promotional playoff (A1 v B2, B1 v A2) which will determine the two nations that will compete in Africa Group III in 2024.
Meanwhile, the bottom two teams in each group will cross over in relegation playoffs (A3 v B4, B3 v A4) where the last two nations will be relegated to Group V.
All games will take place at Kigali Ecology Tennis Club.
Final squads
Angola: Chris Lukanu Andre, Danilson Bento, Fernando Andre, Zidario Quitomina and Captain Garcia Nkiambi.
Botswana: Denzel Seetso, Batsomi Marobela, Mark Nawa, Esi Molefe, Seabo Saleshando, Captain Petrus Molefe.
Cameroon: Cliford Wuyum Nkwain, Blaise Nkwenti, Okala Hagoua Valentin Brayan Alexis, Boriss Kamdem, captain Bruno Nguemi.
Ghana: Abraham Asaba, Isaac Nortey, Samuel Agbesi Osei Antwi, Herman Abban, Desmond Ayaaba, Captain Frederick Egyir.
Kenya: Ismael Mzai, Ibrahim Kibet Yego, Kael Shalin Shah, Keean Shah, Derick Ominde, Captain George Oyoo.
Mozambique: Ricardo Jorge Jacinto, Edilson Rosa, Luca Figueiredo, Jaime Sigauque, Armando Sigauque, Captain Bruno Figueiredo.
Nigeria: Christopher Bulus, Wilson Oswalele Igbinovia, Uchenna Oparaoji, David Ekpenyong, Peter Lawal, Captain Benson Achie Ishicheli.
Rwanda: Etienne Niyigena, Ernest Habiyambere, Junior Hakizumwami, Joshua Muhire and Claude Ishimwe.
