Poor start in volleyball qualifiers

Botswana, ranked 84 in the world, was always going to find it difficult against their north African opposition who sit in position 33.

The local girls narrowly lost the first set 25-21 before the gap widened to 25-11 and 25-17 in the second and third sets respectively. Egypt received better and had powerful attacks, which floored Botswana. In their next match Botswana faces a tough test against Algeria, with qualification to the finals looking increasingly remote.  Botswana was supposed to be in action against Ghana yesterday, but the late withdrawal of the West Africans meant the side remained inactive.