Lekoko's deadly spikes too hot to handle
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday June 15, 2018 12:17
Known as ‘Joe V’ in volleyball circles, the 1.84cm tall Lekoko, joined Kalavango from Spiking Stars at the start of the season.
He possesses one of the deadliest right hands in the domestic league and his brutal force was on display in Molepolole over the weekend.
Kutlwano were forced to substitute their libero as he faced a barrage of unstoppable spikes from Lekoko. Joe V’s combination with Seychelles international, Percy Riaze was magical.
Despite his prowess at the centre of the court, Lekoko is yet to make his national team debut due to injuries.
He picked a shoulder injury when the team was going to Mozambique and when a second opportunity to travel to Egypt arose, he had still not recovered from the injury.
Lekoko said his interest in volleyball began when he was a pupil at Kebonyekgotla Primary School in 2004.
“I used to watch volleyball on television and never had the chance to play it. I noticed that it was a unique sport. I realised my passion when I started playing for Spiking Stars in 2007,” the 27-year-old said.
The Moshupa-born Lekoko said he started playing in position four. He said upon his arrival at Stars, he did not take long to make the starting six. “I was playing with all my heart and my coach noticed that. In 2013, I was shifted to position two. I did not know why they moved me, but I continued enjoying the game,” Lekoko said.
He said moving to Kalavango came with some changes and one of them was to check his strength.
“Playing against sides like Police VI, BDF VI and Kutlwano is tough. I have to dig deep both tactically and physically. Those clubs have experienced players and to beat them is not a walk in the park. I am learning a lot from them and they motivate me,” Lekoko said.
He said his dream is to play professional volleyball outside the country and that means more hard work is required.
Kalavango coach, Kabelo Marumo said Lekoko is disciplined, consistent and difficult to stop as a right side attacker.
“He is an impact player as long as he has a good setter,” he added. Marumo said Lekoko deserves to be in the national team, but unfortunately coaches look at players differently. He said Lekoko was nominated as best player of the season on three consecutive occasions and that shows how magnificent he is on the court.