Botswana one step closer to Davis Cup promotion

Mqondisi Dubé | Saturday July 20, 2024 09:07

Both teams came into the Davis Cup Group V Group C final unbeaten and the winner was guaranteed a place in today’s semi-finals. The two teams that advance to the final will move up to Africa Group IV, with Botswana now firmly in the running. This morning, Botswana will play Gabon, while in the other semi-final, Mozambique will face Mauritius. There is not much difference between Botswana and Gabon in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings. Gabon is ranked 133rd, while Botswana is just one spot below, both teams on 55 points.

Gabon first participated in the Davis Cup in 2001 and their best result was a fifth-place finish in Europe/Africa Zone Group IV in 2003. Botswana were relegated to Africa Group V after last year’s event in 2023. Their first Davis Cup appearance was in 1996 but they are yet to make it past Group III. However, the current class of Denzel Seetso, Mark Nawa, Tsholofelo Tsiang, Batsomi Marobela and Esi Molefe are looking to change that narrative. A bright start that has seen the team unbeaten against Libya, Lesotho and Madagascar has raised hopes that Botswana are destined for a return to Group IV.