Tennis Kenya unveils squad for Davis Cup Africa IV tournament
By Joel Masibo, June 9, 2026Tennis Kenya has announced the national team that will represent the country at the upcoming Davis Cup Africa IV Tournament, set to be held at the Nairobi Club from June 17 to June 20, 2026.
The squad was officially unveiled during a ceremony attended by Tennis Kenya President Wanjiru Mbugua-Karani, Secretary General Nancy Nduku, NOC-K Second Vice President Colonel (Rtd) Nashon Randiek, government representatives, and officials from the Nairobi Club on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Squad outlook
The Kenyan team will be led by veteran captain Rosemary Owino, while Allan Cooper will serve as the team manager. Experienced player Ismael Changawa, who is making his 12th appearance at the tournament, has been appointed the players’ captain and will spearhead a youthful squad that Tennis Kenya hopes will form the foundation of future success in the prestigious competition.
Joining Changawa in the team are Kael Shah, the 2026 NCAA Doubles Champion, Raymond Riziki Oduor, Liberty Baraka Kibuye, Zayyan Virani, Jeff Okuku, and Aum Chandarana.
Kenya Davis Cup squad
Ismael Changawa (Players’ Captain)
Kael Shah
Raymond Oduor
Jeff Okuku
Liberty Kibuye
Aum Chandarana
Zayyan Virani
Speaking during the team announcement, captain Rosemary Owino emphasised the importance of investing in young talent, noting that the squad has an average age of just 20 years.
“Our average age in this team is 20 and normally if you start with an average age of 20 that means we have a very long journey with this team. So, this is positive for Tennis Kenya because one of the things that Tennis Kenya is trying to put into place are sustainable systems. So even for a team like Davis Cup it’s been so important to have a young team so that we look at the future of Davis Cup itself over and above the future of the sport in Kenya,” she said.
Owino urged Kenyan sports fans to turn out in large numbers and create a strong home-court atmosphere for the national team as they compete against other African nations.
At the unveiling ceremony, Tennis Kenya President Wanjiru Karani sai:
“The Davis Cup is the World Cup of Tennis and one of the longest-running international team competitions in world sport. It is where players stop playing for ranking points, prize money and individual glory, and instead compete for something much bigger, the flag on their chest and the country in their hearts,” Karani said in a speech read on her behalf during the team unveiling.
Kenya will be seeking to make home advantage count in a tournament featuring Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.