Morocco emerged as the champions while Kenya bagged the bronze in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III tournament in an exhilarating finale at the Nairobi Club.
The Moroccans showcased their prowess, outsmarting Tunisia with a 2-1 victory to claim the top spot. Meanwhile, the Kenyan team displayed their resilience, dispatching Zimbabwe 2-1 in the fight for bronze.
With their triumph, the Moroccan team earned the opportunity to represent Africa at the Euro-Africa tourney in the upcoming season. The tournament attracted a vibrant crowd, and it was Angella Okutoyi, the Wimbledon junior doubles champion, who set the stage alight with a remarkable performance. She swept aside Sasha Natalie of Zimbabwe with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory in the opening singles match of the day.
However, the Kenyan team faced a setback as Cynthia Cheruto fell to Magarira Ricardo of Zimbabwe with a score of 6-2, 6-1 in another singles contest.
Nevertheless, Kenya made a comeback in the doubles match as Okutoyi, a renowned figure in our tennis community, partnered with Owegi Alicia. The duo triumphed over the Zimbabwean pair, Natalie and Magarira, with a thrilling 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1) victory.
For their exceptional performance, each of the six Kenyan players in the tournament received a bonus of Sh178,000. Reflecting on their achievements, Okutoyi expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress and highlighted their strong serves throughout the tournament. She acknowledged the motivating factor of the government-provided bonus.
Owegi praised the team for their outstanding fighting spirit, contributing to Kenya’s success. The collated results of Kenya’s journey in the tournament showcased their dominance, including victories over Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, and Nigeria, with their only loss against Morocco.
The 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III tournament concluded with moments of triumph, determination, and remarkable performances.
Congratulations to Morocco for their championship win and to Kenya for securing the bronze. The tournament served as a testament to the talent and competitive spirit of the participating nations.
