The national volleyball teams’ poor run has shown no sign of abating after the men’s side continued to suffer heavy defeats at the ongoing African Volleyball Championship in Tunisia.
The dismissal performance follows hard on the heels of the women team’s poor performance in Egypt recently.
The men’s team lost all the matches; losing 3-0 to DR Congo in the first match, followed by another 3-0 loss at the hands of the hosts, Tunisia. On Tuesday the team went close, but still lost 3-2 to Chad. Coach Shadrack Kapeko told Mmegi Sport that the competition is tough, which is the reason why his side is losing.
“It is always our excuse when we come for international competitions that we did not prepare well. Of course preparing for this level in a week is never enough, we hope to have more time,” he said.
“We are in a re-building process and the first game, which I believe could have gone either way, is the one, which I guess the players were still jet-legged. Travelling a long distance and playing the following day is difficult, especially for an inexperienced team like this one.” Kapeko said the team is made up of young players who need time to adjust in order to play at the expected level.
He said his plan for the championship was to give players an opportunity to gain experience and some game time as within the Region 5, they hardly compete.
He pointed out that the absence of the local volleyball league has an impact on the performance and the growth of players.
“Getting players ready to play at this level is nothing but preparation, which covers sacrifice, time, dedication and following proposed plans,” he added.Kapeko said he would take time to get feedback from other coaches regarding improving the team.
The squad:
Happy Ribbin (centre), Moemedi Siphambe (centre), Thomas Chifu (centre), Tiroyaone Otimile (centre), Phenyo Thebeng (setter), Bakang Marumo (setter), Igobe Sikuku (opposite), Phemelo Lekoko (opposite), Emmanuel Mahlunge (libero), Molebi Rabosigo (libero), Lebogang Magote (outside), Bokao Nagafela (outside), Tebogo Koobatlile (outside) and Taolo Lebakeng (outside).
