The finals were played here on Saturday with the women beating Mafolofolo 3-2 to walk away with gold medals and a trophy.
The men’s side raised the bar higher walloping Kutlwano 3-0 to be crowned champions of the inaugural tournament. The women’s match started with Police showing intention to walk away with the game winning the first set 25-18.
The win was a motivation for the opposition as they came into the second set with renewed energy. Former Police attacker, Chada Majaha was on her element punishing her former team mates with long spikes in midcourt. Mafolofolo claimed the set 25-21.
After the break, Majaha continued were she left off with her powerful shots making it a difficult job difficult for Police. As the game progressed, fatigue crept in on Majaha as she kept making mistakes giving Police easy points.
Eventually a replacement was brought in. Mafolofolo claimed the third set with a close margin of 25-22. The win rubbed Police the wrong way and they made some changes.
Lebani Ntelecha was substituted while Lorato Chizake left the court due to an injury. Police brought in Neo Keitumele and Pako Luke taking the game beyond reach.
Police was now in the driver’s seat winning the set 25-14. Police were now asking the right questions and Mafolofolo could not respond. Set five was a walk over for Police with a convincing scoreline of 15-7.
On the men’s side, Police won the match 25-21, 25-21 and 25-15. Police coach, Shimaka Ngwanaotsile told Sport Monitor that ahead of the encounter, they knew Mafolofolo’s strength. “The plan was to kill their centre through our service and my players serviced according to my instructions. That worked for us in the first set. When we changed to the other side of the court, we started losing balls that meant we were scoring for our opponents. Mafolofolo ended up leading us and it was difficult to come from behind,” he said.
Ngwanaotsile said he had to change his line-up to improve block after realising that Majaha had an upper hand. Mafolofolo coach, Boitumelo Botsang said they had worked hard on their service.
He said looking at the number of players he had, that made it difficult to have a proper defensive play. “My players had a good game but fatigue was a challenge especially playing four sets against a team that has been training for the longest time.
This was a high tempo game hence the decline in our play. Our number one player, Majaha was also tired and we also had one player picking an injury,” he said. Meanwhile, Sefalana Mophuting, head of sales, Liquid Intelligent Technologies said it was important for them to come onboard and be part of the development of sport in the country. “Volleyball has the potential and they wanted the tournament to be part of giving back to the community.
It is the first time that we are involved in supporting sport in Botswana and it will not be the last time,” Mophuting said. Women's team line up: Police: Mpho Mokakapadi, Lebani Ntelecha, Lorato Chizake, Gaolatlhe Tebagano, Agrineth Letshabile, Keitumele, Pako Luke, Merapelo Tshimologo, Tshiamo Chakalisa and Pearl Kaizer (libero). Coach: Ngwanaotsile Mafolofolo: Kelebogile Segathe, Chada Majaha, Taboka Tema, Roda Matlhare, Game Rakgabo, Priscilla Nthaga and Tshoganetso Mathatego (libero). Coach: Botsang.
