Premium
Captain Rakuom confident as Kenya lands tough Davis Cup pool
Ismael Changawa plays his forehand to his opponent Ibrahim Kibet during Tennis Kenya Senior Challenge series final at Nairobi Club on December 1, 2020.
What you need to know:
- The Kenyan squad features a mix of experience and youth, with Ismael Changawa (29) and Albert Njogu (24) leading the charge alongside Kael Shah (20) and debutants Raymond Riziki and Brandon Sagala (both 20).
- Missing from last year’s lineup are Ibrahim Kibet, Keean Shah, Derick Ominde, and former coach George Oyoo.
Kenya has been drawn into a challenging Pool 'B' alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, and Gabon for the 2025 Davis Cup Africa Group IV scheduled for Wednesday in Luanda, Angola.
Led by new captain and coach Peter Rakuom, the team acknowledges the difficulty of their group, but remains determined to secure one of two promotion spots to Group III during the four-day competition.
“It is the toughest of the two pools,” Rakuom admitted after Tuesday’s draw. “But we are here to compete, and our goal is clear—to advance.”
The Kenyan squad features a mix of experience and youth, with Ismael Changawa (29) and Albert Njogu (24) leading the charge alongside Kael Shah (20) and debutants Raymond Riziki and Brandon Sagala (both 20). Missing from last year’s lineup are Ibrahim Kibet, Keean Shah, Derick Ominde, and former coach George Oyoo.
The team arrived in Luanda on Sunday after a long journey, including delays due to visa clearance issues. Despite the travel hurdles, they have been training hard on the hard courts of Kikuxi Villas Tennis Academy, preparing for the tough battles ahead.
Njogu, fresh off his victory at the 2025 Uganda Open, is competing in his fifth Davis Cup.
“It’s not about how many times you’ve been to the Davis Cup. It is about the impact you make,” he said. “I’m ready to give my best from the first match to the last.”
Changawa, a former Kenya Open champion and the youngest Kenyan to ever play Davis Cup (at age 13), could be making his 10th appearance. Despite recent injuries, he remains motivated.
“It’s been an honor. I’ve grown with this team, and I’m grateful to still be here,” he said. “I’ll take it match by match. It’s about working hard, representing Kenya, and having fun.”
Kael Shah, unbeaten in singles from last year’s Davis Cup, brings confidence, while Sagala, the reserve player, is seen as a rising star.
Meanwhile, Pool 'A' consists of hosts Angola, DR Congo, Ghana, and Mauritius.
Only the top two teams will earn promotion to Group III, while the bottom two will be relegated to Group V. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are looking to bounce back after relegation from Group III last year.
