BY PHILLIP ORWA
Team Kenya concluded their Davis Cup Africa Group IV campaign by sweeping Mozambique 3-0.
Liberty Kibue won the opening singles match 6-0, 6-1 against Rui Costa Tembe. Kael Shah then defeated Luca Santiago De Sousa Figueiredo 6-2, 6-2 before Liberty Kibue partnered with Zayyan Virani to secure a 6-4, 7-6 doubles victory over Luca Santiago De Sousa Figueiredo and Eric Patrick Sigauque.
The result means Kenya will remain in Group IV, with the players highly motivated ahead of next year’s Davis Cup campaign.
Having had the honour of representing Kenya, the players say they have gained valuable lessons from the tournament.
Kenya had earlier endured a difficult day after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ghana in the Davis Cup Africa Group IV event. Kael Shah won his singles match with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Ghana’s Abraham Asaba, while Ismael Changawa fell to Samuel Agbesi Osei 7-6, 6-1.
In the doubles match, the Kenyan pair of Kael Shah and Zayyan Virani lost to Abraham Asaba and Samuel Agbesi Osei in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6.
Despite the defeat, Team Kenya captain Rosemary Owino praised the players for their effort and commitment. Owino noted that although Kenya is in a rebuilding phase, the team has shown it can compete with any opponent.
Meanwhile, Algeria and Ghana earned promotion to Davis Cup Africa Group III, while Mozambique and DR Congo were relegated to Group V.
