Mafolofolo win Zone VI championship
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday January 5, 2016 11:15
The win meant the side wrapped 2015 on a high note after bagging three tournaments including the two being Capital Motors and Mascom Top 8 Tournament played locally.
The side won the Zone VI cup after beating Kutlwano 3-1 in the final. Mafolofolo coach, Kagiso Mannaesi said they played against teams from Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe and beat all of them with the same score line of 3-0. They met Kalavango in the semi-final and won 3-0 to reach the final.
In the six matches that Mafolofolo played, they lost only two sets. Mannaesi said that was a sign of good performance. The win in the competition means they will participate in the continental volleyball championship. The dates and venue for the competition are yet to be released. He said the last time they qualified for the competition was in 2012 when they lost to an Algerian team in the quarter final.
Mafolofolo players won individual prizes with Gaolesetse ‘Lizzy’ Gasekgonwe adjudged the best attacker and Kelebogile Mahupela nominated the best setter. Chada Majaha made an impressive debut in the zonal competition, winning best server and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the competition.
Mannaesi said Majaha had a good tournament and that has motivated her as a player. He said his players played well and followed instructions. He said the plan going into the competition was to give players exposure. He said despite the volleyball league finishing before the regional tournament, they managed to prepare well. Mannaesi said the return of Gasekgonwe from Kalavango motivated other players.
He also attributed the good year to the new combinations they introduced.
He said it is also clear that players have grown hence the ability to withstand pressure.
For her part, Majaha told Mmegi Sport that she played her normal game and that made her job easier.
She said it has always been her target to win the Most Valuable Player award. Majaha said she also utilised her national team experience in the competition.