Rwanda will take on Togo on Thursday, July 17, in their first playoff game of the round robin match at the ongoing 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group IV tournament. The hosts had to come from behind to beat Senegal 2-1 and advance to the Group III playoff match. Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for Group III promotion playoffs were dealt to a major draw when Gisèle Umumararungu fell short in a tight 2-6, 6-4, 6(5)-7 defeat at the hands of Senegal’s Christel Fakhry. But Lia Kaishiki, who was back from a minor foot injury, recovered in time to beat Lea Crocetti 6-1 7-5 to level the match 1-1. The Swiss-based star returned to team up with Olive Tuyisenge came from a set down to beat Fakhry and Crosetti 4-6, 6-4, 10-7, and finish top of Group C ahead of their rivals Senegal, Ethiopia and Congo Republic who finished in second, third and fourth places respectively. ALSO READ: Rwanda thrash Ethiopia to top Group C at Billie Jean King Cup “I am really happy we made it to the final round, I know it’s going to be tough against the next two teams (Togo and Cameroon) and anything is possible. They are strong teams but we will give our best,” Lia Mosimann told Times Sport. “I love being here, it’s nice representing my country, my mum coming is, she’s always here for the support...yeah, I love being here, and I hope to come back next time,” she added. Sylvain Rutukanga’s side now enter the round-robin playoff stage where the top three nations, Rwanda and Cameroon and Togo who finished top of Groups A and B respectively, will battle for a promotion slot to Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III. ALSO READ: Rwanda cruise past Congo in 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Group IV Thursday’s matches against Togo will take place on Centre Court at IPRC-Kigali Ecology Tennis Club, starting at 10:00 a.m. The tournament continues through July 19 and features 12 nations competing for a single promotion slot to Group III of the Billie Jean King Cup.
