The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s under-12 boys and girls did the country proud, finishing top of their groups in the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) Under-12 tournament that ended at Bulawayo Country Club yesterday.
The Zimbabwe team, sponsored by Ingwebu Breweries, are now through to represent the Sadc region at a tournament to be held in either Morocco or Tunisia in December this year.
The week-long tournament also included Botswana, Namibia and Malawi with each nation fielding three players in both boys’ and girls’ competitions.
Zimbabwe boys’ Under-12 finished ahead of Namibia, Malawi and Botswana, respectively while the girls won against the same opponents in the same order. On the first day of the tournament last Wednesday, Zimbabwean Bradley Nyamunokora lost 3-6, 4-6 to Malawi’s Thokozani Tembo before Tendai Musabaeka got one back beating Malawi’s Edwin Phiri 6-1, 6-2. The Zimbabwean pair then teamed up for a 6-3; 6-1 victory over the Malawians in the doubles match.
In their next round against Namibia, Nyamunokora was in his stride sweeping past Kyle Else 6-0, 6-0 while his compatriot Musabeaka over came Liam Kuhn 6-1, 6-0. The visitors got one back winning the doubles match 6-4,6-4.
In their last match, Zimbabwe faced Botswana and Nyamunokora made light work of the visitors’ Hosseini Bo-Xiang winning 6-1,6-1 while Musabaeka beat Martin Seetso 6-0, 6-0. In the doubles, Botswana beat Zimbabwe 6-0, 7-6(6) with Kudiwa Matambo partnering Nyamunokora.
In the other matches in the boys’ class, Namibia beat Botswana 2-1 while Malawi lost 2-1 to Botswana. Malawi went on to face Namibia and were beaten 2-1. Simphiwe Malunguza got the ball rolling for her team beating Malawi’s Mercy Mbewe 6-0, 6-1 before her team mate, Kuzivaishe Chapepa beat Grace Mhone 6-0, 6-0. In the doubles, the Zimbabwean pair beat Mbewe and Memory Chirambo 6-0, 6-0.
Against Namibia, Chapepa needed three sets to overcome Mari Van Shalkwyk 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 before the Namibians drew level when Joanivia Bezeuidenhout beat Chanelle Zhuwakani 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. The Zimbabwean pair of Chapepa and Zhuwakani won their doubles encounter 6-3, 7-5.
In their last match, Zimbabwe faced Botswana and Malunguza got the ball rolling with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Shatani Batisani. Zhuwakani won 6-2, 6-1 against Ditsegofatso Bapaletswe before the Zimbabwean pair of Chapepa and Malunguza beat the Botswana pair of Bapaletswe and Batisani 6-1, 6-0 to win the tournament.
In the other matches in the girls’ class, Namibia beat Botswana 3-0 while Malawi beat 2-1 to Botswana. Malawi were then routed 3-0 by Namibia.
