Zim confident of a Turkey meal

05 Nov, 2017 - 00:11 0 Views
Zim confident of a Turkey meal

The Sunday Mail

THE first ever Davis Cup meeting between Zimbabwe and Turkey was in 1983 and it ended 5-0 in favour of our boys away in Istanbul.

The Europeans got their revenge 25 years later, beating Zimbabwe 3-0 in a Group III Europe/Africa round robin tie in Bulgaria in 2008. The Zimbabwe team of 1983 had Orlando Lourenco, Phillip Tuckniss and Haroon Ismail while in 2008 Takanyi Garanganga, Mlandeli Ndlela and Mark Fynn carried the flag.

The two countries are set to renew their rivalry in February next year when they meet in a Europe/Africa Zone Group II tie and there will be no love lost.

Zimbabwe are ranked 73 in the world and Davis Cup team captain Martin Dzuwa admits Turkey, ranked 24 places better, will be tough opponents.

“They have guys ranked higher than us and if those guys are available we have got a big challenge” he said.

However, Dzuwa believes in home advantage.

“Playing at home is always an advantage and I believe that will help us in a way. Playing at home gives you that lift because no one wants to disappoint in front of their home crowd,” he said.

Turkey have been stuck in Europe/ Africa Zone Group III for four years now and are eager to gain promotion.

They are expected to have Marsel Ilhan (310), Cem Ilkel (269) and Altug Celikbilek (416) in their team.

However, Dzuwa has confidence in his team that will most likely have Garanganga (438) and Ben Lock (304) as the leading lights.

“It will not be the first time for our guys to face players ranked above them and more over they have been active in tough tournaments,” he said.

“It’s all about belief and we are not short of that in this team.

“The boys are hungry for success and love to play for their country so one thing I can promise is an all-out effort from each one of them.”

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