30 Jul 2014

Francistown-based men’s volleyball club Diphatsa will this weekend travel to Molepolole for clashes against tough contenders in the Mascom Volleyball League.

The team captain, Nlebesi Mpapho said despite the looming massive games featuring volleyball heavyweights like Kutlwano and BDF VI, they had not altered their preparations.

“We have our usual training even though we are not training together as we should be because of the BDF sponsorship issue but, we have to play nonetheless,” said the seemingly disappointed Nlebesi who was voted the best male attacker in last year’s award ceremony.

From the look of things the sponsorship problems would not deter the maroon and white side from challenging for league honors as they would be taking Jwaneng outfit, Itekeng on Saturday morning for a game that was called off due to poor officiating.

During the game Diphatsa was spotted to have committed a rotational fault but officials let it slip. By then Diphatsa had won the first two sets.

Not only was the game called off for poor officiating but altercation ensued after Itekeng coach, Director Lebetwa accused Nelson Nkwingwa of deliberately trying to hit him with a ball during free spiking, but Nelson cleared himself of any wrong doing, arguing that the ball went into the coach’s direction by mistake.

It was after the confrontation that games organising commission vice chairperson, Bapoga Nshakazogwe decided to call off the game.

Still on Saturday, Molepolole would witness a game that promises to be a thriller when troublesome Diphatsa would lock horns with resurgent Kutlwano who were eyeing the top spot.

Though Isaac Samuel’s men were in search of top of the log finish, a tug of war may result as the Nlebesi led Diphatsa may present a stubborn opposition as they aim to surpass their last year’s record of a bronze medal.

On Sunday, Diphatsa would see their rivalry with BDF VI rekindled in Molepolole in a date that was supposed to have been a nocturnal act at Serowe College of Education but was cancelled off due to poor lighting.

The side boasting tall and robust boys in the mould of Nelson, Nlebesi and last year’s best male blocker Pastor Rebabonye would had to devise a watertight plan against the Selebatso Mabutho led army side whose machine guns were fully loaded for an invasion on the northerners.

Last year’s champions BDF VI boast immense experience in the likes of Agisanyang Kurwana who scooped best male receiver whose exploits with the national team may boost the masculine men of the barracks.

That would set the tone for their mouthwatering tussle with last year’s bronze medalists Diphatsa who, hitherto had ceased enjoying BDF backing. ENDS