18 Mar 2024

Mark Nawa, Botswana’s only tennis player to proceed to the quarterfinals of the singles category bowed out of the competition with pride at the ongoing African Games held in Accra, Ghana on Sunday.

Nawa started on a high note beating Algerian Ghettas Ridha, 6-0, 6-1 to proceed to the next round of the competition.

However, he lost to Tunisian Mohamed Aziz Oukaa by 6-3, 6-1 on Sunday.

In an interview, he said the first game was one of his best matches this year.

“I struggled when I was playing in South Africa two weeks ago. 

I lost both first and second rounds so I was not so confident coming into this competition,” he said.

Furthermore, he said he had now regained his confidence, adding although he lost against Oukaa, he was of the view that he executed himself very well.

Nawa said it was a tough game, but he was happy that it showed him where his level was.

He said his opponent challenged him and he had gained more experience.

“I managed to up my level in the match and I played very well.

I am not angry with my performance,” he said.

National team coach, Petrus Molefe said both players started shaking in the event, breaking each other in the beginning of the first set.

He said the opponent, however, settled quicker than Nawa.

“But then again some of the calls by the referee were shocking even to the neutral people,” he said.

“I think now we have to teach our players to be mentally strong when those moments happen in competitions,” he said.

The coach, however said, there were areas to improve.

In the women’s category, Kelebogile Monnayoo lost 6-2, 6-1 to Eunice Mauchi of Zimbabwe, while Chelsea Chakanyuka was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Nigeria’s Quadre Barakat in round one of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the team was hit by a major blow after top tennis player, Denzel Seetso was declared unfit by the doctor due to influenza attack.

Seetso was one of the medal prospects in the singles, and he will also not be able to play the men’s doubles. ENDS