Namibia back in World Group Two Play-offs
Namibia secured a third consecutive place in the Davis Cup World Group Two Play-offs after closing their Africa Group Three campaign with a statement 3-0 victory over Benin in Bujumbura, Burundi, on Saturday.
The result completed a four-win, one-defeat week and placed Namibia third on countback behind Senegal and hosts Burundi.
All three countries qualified for the 2027 World Group Two Play-offs, where victory in a home-or-away tie would earn promotion to World Group Two.
Speaking to Sport Wrap about the tournament, Namibia Davis Cup captain Gerrie Dippenaar said the team’s goal was clear after Estonia denied them a World Group Two berth in February.
“After that defeat, we knew we were back in Africa Group Three, and there was only one thing we wanted, and that was to get back to the [World Group Two Play-offs],” he said.
“We feel that we belong there. We had to beat Benin to qualify again, and we did so in style.”
Final-day sweep
Codie van Schalkwyk laid the foundation against Benin by overcoming Sodick Noudogbessi 6-4, 7-5 in an opening singles rubber lasting two hours and nine minutes.
Connor van Schalkwyk then took the opening set 6-1 against Alexis Klegou, who retired before the second began. Dippenaar said Klegou, 37, later told him that he had injured a pectoral muscle and could not continue.
The retirement handed Namibia an unassailable 2-0 lead and secured qualification. Connor then partnered Steyn Dippenaar to complete the sweep, beating Kocou Pacome Kakpo and Noudogbessi 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the doubles.
Namibia had opened with a 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire before hosts Burundi handed them their only defeat, winning the deciding doubles to take the tie 2-1.
Dippenaar described the loss as difficult to accept but credited Burundi for their performance in the final set.
“I am very proud of my guys for bouncing back after that defeat. We won the next three ties in a row,” he said.
Namibia subsequently recovered from losing the opening singles rubber against Senegal and Togo. Connor levelled both ties before joining Codie to win the deciding doubles.
Connor was the team’s constant throughout the week, winning all five singles rubbers without dropping a set, a record that led Dippenaar to call him “the heartbeat of the team” and “our superstar”.
Third opportunity
Namibia nevertheless remain one Play-off victory short of reaching World Group Two.
Hong Kong, China clinched the 2025 encounter at 3-1 before Codie won the dead rubber to leave the final score at 3-2.
Estonia then defeated an understrength Namibia 4-0 in February, when Connor was unavailable and Jean Erasmus withdrew with a fractured wrist.
Dippenaar said those defeats demonstrated the importance of converting limited opportunities and having the strongest possible squad available.
“At that level, when you get chances, you have to convert. You have to be on top of your game and grab every opportunity that comes your way,” he said.
Dippenaar expects Connor, who is studying in the United States, to be available next year.
“He very much wants to play for Namibia. We need him,” the captain said.
Preparation challenge
The clay courts also influenced Dippenaar’s squad selection. Daniel Jauss was chosen as singles cover because he trains regularly on clay in Germany, while Steyn provided doubles cover after preparing on the surface in Czechia.
Dippenaar said Ruben Yssel and Nguvi Hinda, who were included for the Estonia tie, had not recently played competitive tennis on clay.
He credited the Namibia Tennis Association for supporting the team, but said assembling players based in different countries remained expensive.
Additional funding would allow Namibia to travel with a physiotherapist, arrive earlier and prepare specifically for the Play-off surface.
“Hopefully, it is a great inspiration to the young kids at home, the next generation. We will be a team that has character. We fight. We are proud to represent Namibia,” Dippenaar said.
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