07 Jul 2014

Serowe based men’s volleyball team Tainan was turned into fodder, Saturday, July 5 going down to visiting household names Mafolofolo and Kalavango at Serowe College gallery.

First to launch an onslaught on the home side was Kabo Ntshinogang-led Mafolofolo who cruised to a 3-0 score line. 

Mafolofolo were on song in the first set and cruised to a 25-6 win with Coach Ntshinogang seemingly amused by the proceedings.

The exuberant but experienced Mafolofolo were ruthless to Gaonyadiwe Mothofela’s side in what appeared like a practice match. 

However, the Serowe lads came to the second set rejuvenated despite going down 22-25 to the golden and black Mafolofolo. Coach Ntshinogang’s demeanor swiftly changed and called his boys not to get carried away with what seemed an inevitable win for the visitors.

In the third set where Tanian also posited some improved performance saw them go down 25-18 to Mafolofolo. 

However, Tanian managed to secure two sets in their game against Kalavango even though they ultimately fell on the losing side.

They went down 21-25 in the first set, 23-25 in the second before putting up a gallant fight to win the third and fourth set by 26-24 and 25-20 respectively.

Winning the two sets sent the game to a pulsating deciding set which Kalavango had to sweat before they could put it in the bag. 

Though they looked a nervous lot towards the end, Kalavango managed a 18-16 win.
In a post-match interview Tanian coach attributed his team’s lackluster performance to various reasons, chief amongst them the inability of the players to train together. 

The boys are said to be students and are as such held up by school commitments. 

The situation is further capped by the coach’s notable absence during training due to work commitments.

This, coach Mothofela, observed that contributed significantly to his side’s dismal showing in the Mascom Volleybal League. 

The side which began their quest for Mascom Volleyball league championship is reportedly disadvantaged by losing some of their promising youngsters to the bigger sides more especially in the capital city Gaborone where the players seek greener pastures.

For his part, Mafolofolo’s Ntshinogang lashed at his boys for big boy psychology. 

He admitted that his boys lost focus after demolishing Tanian 25-6 in the first set. 

Nsthinogang found that his side failed to attack and block as was traditionally accepted in his team.

“Apart from that, this was a boring game, “ Ntshinogang said and added that, ‘it had nothing to write home about.’ ENDS