BJK Cup 2023: Kenya clinch third place finish after victory over Zimbabwe

After painfully missing out on the much desired promotion playoff match on Friday, Kenya managed to regroup on the last day of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup as they defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 to finish third in the twelve team competition played at the Nairobi Club.

With the tie leveled at 1-1 following wins to either side in the two Singles matches, the Francis Rogoi coached side managed to get victory in the Doubles after the duo of Angella Okutoyi and Alicia Owegi forged a winning partnership as they recorded a 7-6, 7-6 victory in sets that had to be decided by tiebreakers.

BJK Cup 2023: Angella Okutoyi gives Kenya the advantage in third place playoff

Okutoyi had given Kenya the advantage following her 6-3, 6-4 over Sasha Chimedza in the first Singles but Rufaro Magarira got her side back into the tie after pulling a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Kenya's Cynthia Wanjala.

Kenya however managed to put some delight on the home faces with Okutoyi and Owegi emerging top in their encounter.

"We had a low day yesterday and this win today has lifted the team spirits and we feeling much better as a team," Rogoi said.

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"I am definitely feeling happy now together with the team especially after yesterday's result. But right now, we are all delighted to finish in third place. We did not want all our fight to go just like that and that is why we fought to win today," Angella Okutoyi said.

The third place finish ensured Kenya made a massive improvement from the 2022 edition where they finished in eleventh spot in the competition held in North Macedonia.