Kenya poised to win team title

Kenya is in pole position to clinch the overall team title as the International Tennis Federation and Confederation of African Tennis 2016 East African Junior Circuit comes to a close at the Nairobi Club on Saturday.

Five home players will be in action in the boys’ Under-12, U-14 and U-16 singles finals as well as the girls’ Under-12 and 14 finals.

Ryan Randiek, Albert Njogu, Kael Shah, Sneha Kotecha and Alicia Owegi carry the nation’s hopes of reclaiming the regional title.

Kenya needs to win three out of the five finals to dethrone Burundi who have four finalists.

Zion Zone Tennis Foundation’s Njogu will be first up on court as he takes on Abdoul Shakur Kabura of Burundi in the boys’ Under-16 final.

Fourth-seed Njogu upset top seed and fellow Kenyan Sheil Kotecha in the semi-final while Kabura saw off the challenge of Rwandan Fabrice Tuyishime in the other last four clash.

“I am ready for the match, I have played well since the event started and my confidence is high and I believe I can win the title tomorrow (Saturday),” Njogu said.

The girls’ Under-16 final will be a Burundian affair between top seed Sada Nahimana and Mwamini Bitungwa.

Burundi again stands in the way of Kenya clinching the girls’ Under-14 title as Aisha Niyonkuru takes on home girl Sneha Kotecha in what should be a cracking final.

Niyonkuru convincingly beat Kenya’s Angela Nyangweso in their semi-final, while Kotecha saw off another Burundian, Hoziane Kitambala to cruise into today’s final.

Randiek will count on home advantage when he comes up against the only representative from Seychelles to make the final, Damien Lapo in the boys Under-14 final.

Kenya will also aim to do the double in the Under-12 finals. Alicia Owegi who has had an impressive tournament will be up against Sudanese Maysoon Adam in the girls’ final while Kael Shah takes on Abdul Nuru Nduwimana in another Kenya versus Burundi duel.