NAIROBI, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan tennis team will compete at the Confederation of Africa (CAT) tennis championships in South Africa in November as part of its preparations for the Davis Euro Africa Group Two tennis tournament.

Already, five players have been shortlisted for the competition as the country steps up its preparation as it returns to the second tier of the Davis Cup after over a decade-long absence. The Davis Euro Africa Group Two competition will be held in February.

Tennis Kenya Vice Chairman Francis Mutuku underscored the need for the country to have its best players in the Confederation of Africa championships in South Africa, saying it will help them gain more exposure and overcome stage fright.

"The preparations for the Davis Euro Africa Group Two are in top gear. Kenya players are all looking forward to the event and we must give the players the best possible exposure in terms of preparation to ensure by the time we play in the Davis Cup, we are ready and competitive and can qualify for the World Group," said Mutuku on Thursday in Nairobi.

Sheil Kotecha, Ismael Changawa, Kevin Cheruiyot, Ibrahim Yego and Ryan Randiek are among those looking forward to the tournament in South Africa.

"The tournament in South Africa will be an eye opener for the players selected," he added.

The players will also play in the Kenya Open tennis competition, which will have players from the East and central Africa region, in Nairobi in Sept.

Kenya and Namibia were promoted to the Davis Cup Euro Africa Group Two in June after they topped the tables in the tournament held in Nairobi.

It was the first time that Kenya hosted the competition since 2002 and they came through with 2-1 win over top seed Benin.