Kalavango, Police VI show early intent
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday November 12, 2022 06:00
The two sides are leading their respective groups after the first stage of the tournament was played at the SSKB courts last weekend.
Police have already qualified for the quarterfinals as Pool A leaders after accumulating 12 points, having won all their four matches.
The side is now waiting for the team that will finish fourth from Pool B.
Police VI coach, Shimaka Ngwanaotsile said after the Return to Play tournament, they did not take a break. “Although it was not possible to train together as a team, I tried, by all means, to encourage my players to come for training, at least twice a week,” he said. Ngwanaotsile said they started the tournament on a good footing and everything went according to plan.
He said they played with caution because they were nursing some injuries and they were playing with one setter. He said like other teams, he did not have the full squad. “We had to fight with everything that we had. We lost a set to Mafolofolo and that was not part of our mission,” he said. Mag Stimela and BDF VI are also assured of a spot in the quarterfinals while Mafolofolo and Yaros have to wait until the last games to know if they proceed to the next round. Mag Stimela have played three games; winning two and losing one, collecting six points in the process.
BDF have garnered four points from three games registering one loss. Kalavango lead Pool A with nine points after playing and winning all three matches. Kutlwano are second with six points from the three matches, with two wins and a loss.
Spiking Stars sit in position three with three points from three matches, picking one win and registering two defeats. Dynamites have played only one match as they had to give way to Francistown-based Sebokeng Volleyball Club.
The new club played four matches losing all of them, scoring four sets, and conceding 12 sets for their single point. The group remains open as three teams can finish top of the table. Depending on the results next weekend, Kalavango, Kutlwano and Dynamites can finish top of the log.
With Dynamites yet to play three matches, it means a possible nine points haul if they win all of them. Kutlwano too can finish top if they win their remaining match against Dynamites in straight sets provided Kalavango lose their match in straight sets also. Kalavango only need one win to consolidate their place at the top of the table. Stars can only finish third if they win their next match against Dynamites but may finish fourth if they lose.
Dynamites too can finish fourth if they lose their remaining matches, or any other position depending on other results in the group. Kalavango coach, Grecco Marumo said he fielded young players mainly to restructure the team because they had a relatively old team. “I brought in four players into the starting six with Ngirl Wright and Cathy Boima as the only ones with a bit of experience,” he said. Marumo said most of the teams were not ready in the first week of the competition and better matches will be seen in the coming weeks.