The game, played in searing temperatures of around 36 degrees Celsius, was far from easy due to the high level of competition between the two sides. The final also saw the biggest turn out of spectators in recent times. BDF had a sluggish start giving Kutlwano an upper hand with some great defence and attack. Abel Samunzala was on the attack for BDF a few minutes from the start, but Tiroyaone Otimile dealt with the threat. Kutlwano showed early intent of running away with the first set. The two sides were level at 4-4 in the opening exchanges but it did not take long for Kutlwano to go into a lead. The chemistry between setter, Tyiyapo Madeluka and opposite hitter, Otimile was crucial to Kutlwano's charge in the first set. Setlhake Setlhake punished Kutlwano coming from the outside, followed by a strong right hand spike by Phemelo Lekoko as the set ended 25-20 in favour of The Big House.
Otimile opened the second set by putting Kutlwano in the lead but BDF bounced back to settle matters at 10-10 as the set progressed. BDF stepped up with a clear goal to win the set with Lekoko proving dangerous with his spiking prowess. The side was ahead 16-14 as the game progressed. Kutlwano was forced to introduce the fresh legs of youngster, Pactor Moreometsi after Otimile picked an injury. The game went for a technical time out with BDF leading 20-17. Lebae Kula struck a point on the line to bring down the margin for Kutlwano. But Lekoko retaliated to give BDF a 25-20 set win. The third set saw BDF get off to a rather slow start giving Kutlwano an 11-6 head start. The army side brought in experienced setter, Kesaobaka Lenkopanye while Otimile came in after the injury scare during the second set. The presence of Lenkopanye changed the complexion of the game as BDF went on to win the set 25-22. BDF started set four with renewed energy shocking Kutlwano who were struggling with clear signs of fatigue. An error riddled attack from The Big House challenged some contentious decisions as some of their players approached the referee positioned on the elevated platform. At this point BDF was enjoying a comfortable 10-3 lead. There was no coming back for Kutlwano as the margin extended to 14-6 leading to an easy victory for BDF who took the set 25-17 to wrap up the match 3-1.
Speaking to Sport Monitor, BDF coach Selebatso Mabutho, said Kutlwano players have aged and he has coached some of them at the national team and he knows their tactics. “Kutlwano has good players but they were playing against a youthful BDF side. When I introduced Lenkopanye, I wanted experience that the first setter did not have. The first setter has been converted, as he was an attacker before, he has the height and able to block while Lenkopanye is shorter,” he said. Kutlwano coach, Isaac Samuel said the game plan was to stop BDF especially in block because they knew the side was strong in attack. He did not want his players to give their opponents free balls, encouraged them to go in hard and wanted to stop them on the net but that failed. “BDF’s Samunzala attacked all the balls; he never stopped the entire game. We also had a challenge because three of our players were absent because of work commitment. The absence of the league is also killing us as the players are rusty,” Samuel said.
Teams
BDF Samunzala, Lekoko, Gobakwaone Dijeng-Mmolai (Lenkopanye), Kabo Sesana, Setlhake, and Thabang Radimpe.
Caution: Lenkopanye Coach: Mabutho
Kutlwano Libion Machae, Madeluka,Otimile, Moreometsi, Kula and Reabetswe Jaba. Coach: Samuel
Score:BDF VI: 3 Kutlwano: 1
