S. Africa, Nigeria win Zim Open

SOUTH African Christo Potgieter and Nigeria’s Yemisi Olatunji were crowned King and Queen of this year’s Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo.

Potgieter won the men’s final 3-0 in a one-sides affair prevailing over Zambia’s Kundanji Kalengo.

An all-Nigerian affair then ensued in the women’s final where Yemisi Olatunji beat Busayo Olatunji 3-1.

The event which stands as the premier squash competition featured over 100 players from more than six African countries. Local squash players have been struggling to get top honours in the competition despite holding a fine record in the men’s doubles.

Zimbabwean pair of Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt could not defend their title in the doubles category after falling 3-1 to Potgieter and Jimmy Schebusc.

At some point Burns and Nesbitt had won the doubles for 12 years in a row but surrendered that grip in 2015 only to retain it last year. Nesbitt was not entirely convinced that the pair would retain the title and had lowered expectations ahead on the event. “We said we would at least try to make the finals this year and see how the rest goes.”

RESULTS: Men: Christos Potgieter(SA) 3 Kundanji Kalengo

(Zambia) 0 Ladies: Yemisi Olatunji (Nigeria) 3; Busayo

Olatunji(Nigeria) 1 Doubles: Mike Burns and Neil Nesbitt(Zimbabwe) 1; Christos Potgieter and Jimmy Schebusch(South Africa) 3 Veterans: Paul Chanda (Zambia) 3; Felix Chilufya (Zambia) 1