Ghana Leads African Charge in Davis Cup

Ghana Thursday emerged as one of the favourites to win Davis Cup Euro-Africa Zone Group Three by clinching a second victory in Gaborone.

Together with Lithuania, Ghana is the only country to maintain a 100 percent record in the tournament where the top two teams gain promotion to Davis Cup Euro-Africa Group Two.

After beating hosts Botswana 2-1 in the tournament opener, Ghana notched up a similar win against Iceland on the second day to maintain its top position in pool B.

In the singles Ghanaian Henry Adjei-Darko outclassed Raj Bonifacius of Iceland 3-0 via 4-2, 4-2 and 5-3. However, Ghana's number one player Gunther Darko fell to Arnar Sugursson 3-2 in a tough five set duel.

In the doubles Ghana emerged came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 for an overall 2-1 victory against Iceland.

The Ghanaians are expected to pit their wits against Lithuania Friday to decide the pool winners for the semi-finals.

Of the other African teams in the tournament, Madagascar is the only country still in the running for a semi-final berth in pool A after subjecting Kenya to its second loss.

The islanders are joint second in their pool where they tied with Georgia after each won a match.

The two nations meet Friday to decide who proceeds to the last four alongside Latvia.

Botswana continued with its poor performance in the tournament, losing its second duel 2-1 against Lithuania.

So far the hosts have only managed to secure victory in the doubles matches.

Botswana singles players Michael Judd and Petrus Molefe lost to Lithuania's Aistis Slajus and Rolandas Muraschka, respectively.

However in the doubles, the hosts once again redeemed some pride when Judd combined with Molefe to overcome the Lithuanian pair of Gitanas Mazonas and Arunas Rozga.

While Ghana and Lithuania have qualified for the semis, Madagascar and Georgia will fight out Friday for the right to join Lithuania from pool A.