Zayyan Virani is among the six players called up to the provisional Kenya team for the Davis Cup Group IV tournament slated for June 19-22 in Luanda, Angola.
Others are Raymond Riziki, Brandon Sagala, Liberty Baraka, Kennedy Musembi and Aryan Khimasia. The six join regulars Ismael Changawa, Ibrahim Kibet and Kael Shah, among others, as Team Kenya look at gaining promotion to Group 3 in the 2026 edition. The team will be whittled down to five players at the end of next month.
Tennis Kenya's executive officer, Nancy Nduku, said the team captain will be announced next month as they step up preparations for the event.
“We are looking at the experienced players at our disposal and we will announce the team in due course,” added Nduku.
Team Kenya had a mixed campaign in the 2024 Davis Cup Group IV in Angola, beating Rwanda 3-0, losing 2-1 to the Democratic Republic of Congo and 2-1 to Burundi to drop into the relegation playoff against Cameroon, which they won 2-1 to safeguard their status.
Kenya will be up against hosts Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, DRC, Burundi, Mauritius and Ghana.There will be two pools of four teams each, and the top two in each pool will cross over in the promotion play-offs.
At the end of the tournament, two teams will get promoted to Group III while the bottom two will get relegated to Group V.
Nduku expressed optimism that the team will seal the promotion spot. “We have played a good number of the teams we are facing. Last year, the majority of our players were playing at the elite level for the first time, and they have learnt what it takes to win matches at that level,” said Nduku.
She added, “ Our top players have been active
playing in the European and US Circuit, with the locally based players playing
in the various ITF tournaments. This gives the team a good foundation heading
into the championship,” said Nduku.
The provisional team is expected to assemble mid-next
month to start their preparations at the Nairobi
Club.
