Kenyan teams storm Cup qualifier finals

Kenya's Rajab Athman in action during the International Tennis Federation (ITF) BNP Paribas Wheelchair World Team Cup African qualifiers at the Nairobi Club on February 18, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • Kenyan men and women’s team will on Sunday play Tanzanian opponents in the finals of African qualifiers for International Tennis Federation (ITF) BNP Paribas Wheelchair World Team Cup at Nairobi Club.
  • Winners will book slots in the World Team Cup set for May 1 to 7 in Sardinia, Italy.
  • The home teams on Saturday reached the final after beating their Cameroonian opponents in their final Pool ‘B’ matches. Kenya women’s team won 3-0 while men triumphed 2-1.

Kenyan men and women’s team will on Sunday play Tanzanian opponents in the finals of African qualifiers for International Tennis Federation (ITF) BNP Paribas Wheelchair World Team Cup at Nairobi Club.

Winners will book slots in the World Team Cup set for May 1 to 7 in Sardinia, Italy.

The home teams on Saturday reached the final after beating their Cameroonian opponents in their final Pool ‘B’ matches. Kenya women’s team won 3-0 while men triumphed 2-1.

Kenya’s coach Lawrence Karanja was overjoyed with the results and is confident his charges can complete the job on Sunday.
“It was nerve-wrecking but the players were composed and played brilliantly. We are on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup and I couldn’t be more proud of the team,” an elated Karanja told Nation Sport on Saturday .

The women’s team will be looking to qualify for the World  Cup a second time after their exploits in 2014, while the men’s team is eyeing a maiden appearance.

Kenya finished third in last year’s qualifiers, with Morocco beating Tanzania to secure top spot. Top seed Jane Ndenga beat Maane Aluine 6-2,6-2 while second seed Phoebe Masika was a 6-0, 6-0 winner over Lydie Mfoun.

Asiya Aruru and Elizabeth Njoki won 6-2, 6-2 against Mfoun and Aluine in the doubles category. Kenya’s Collins Omondi got men’s team off to flying start, winning his singles match 6-1, 6-0 against Paul Bessegui.

In men’s doubles, Peter Munuve atoned for his singles loss, teaming up with Rajab Athman to win 6-4, 6-4 against Cameroon’s Paul Bessegui and Jemmenne Christian.

Tanzania on the other hand overcame Nigeria 3-0 in their final Pool A men's team to finish top ahead of Egypt, Nigeria and debutantes the Gambia.

The Tanzanian women 's team beat Ghana 3-0 to also finish top of Pool A, which also had Egypt.