Team Kenya will look to improve on their performances when the Africa Junior Under -14 tennis Championships start in Togo on Friday.
The quintet of Seline Ahoya, Nancy Kawira, Michelle Murage, Ayush Bhandari and Jeff Okuku struggled in the warm-up tournament and coach Rosemary Owino hopes they will find their footing once the action begins in Lome.
"The warm-up matches were not favourable to us but we have learned lessons which we believe we can utilise to turn around our fortunes once the tournament proper starts,” said Owino.
Ahoya lost in the second round to Egyptian Fanda Eltawel 6-2, 6-0 while Kawira was no match for Togo's Bernice Tossoukpe, losing 6-1, 6-0.
Murage fell 6-1, 6-0 to Zimbabwe's Khanye Ajkeelah.
In the boys' category, Bhandari lost 6-2, 6-1 to Togo's Kidiya Price Daniel as Okuku fell 6-0, 6-0 to Tunisia's Nsairi Skander.
Owino said the team has adjusted to the murram court and the hot conditions in Lome.
"We have been here for a couple of days and we have adjusted to the climate and surface. We look forward to a competitive tournament,” added Owino.
Owino said she expects Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, Morocco and South Africa to be tough competitors.
"The players from those countries will pose a major challenge but I believe we are up to the challenge. We also want to prove a point and show that we are here on merit,” added Owino.
Ahoya said she is happy with the preparations she has had ahead of the event.
"The warm-up event was an eye-opener for all of us in regard to what needs to be done and what areas we need to improve. We promise to do the country proud,” she said.
Kenya qualified for the African event by winning the regional tournament in Bujumbura in January, edging out Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.
