02 Jun 2016

A fierce battle is expected in the Mascom Volleyball League as ladies league giants Kutlwano and Mafolofolo prepare to cross swords at Botswana College of Agriculture on June 5.

Mafolofolo have made a solid start to the 2016 season with a one hundred percent winning record so far and currently lead the log-standings with 12 points.
Kabo Ntshinogang’s girls walloped Mag Stimela 3-0 in Lobatse over the weekend to extend their winning run to four matches in a row. 

Defending champions Kutlwano have in contrast started the season on an uncharacteristically shaky footing. They went down 3-2 to the resurgent BDF VI a fortnight ago and sit in the middle of the log-standings with seven points.

Kutlwano will face Spiking Stars at nine o’clock in the morning before their showdown with Mafolofolo. The ‘Big House’ is expected to have no problem winning this match. Spiking Stars is placed near the foot of the log-standings having lost three matches in a row.

Contacted for comment Kutlwano club secretary Shadrack Kapeko said they are aiming to break Mafolofolo’s winning momentum on Sunday. He said though Kutlwano has lost some of its players, they are still a good team and are aiming to defend their title.

“Mafolofolo is a good team and is currently on form, but we are prepared for them. We have been working on improving our reception because that is the area we have been weak. We have good attackers and blockers and are okay in those positions,” Kapeko said.

Regarding their encounter with Spiking Stars he said every team gets motivated when playing against Kutlwano. “We are therefore not going to under-estimate them because they are near the bottom of the log,” he said.

Concerning their prospects of defending the title, Kapeko said it is going to be a tough battle with BDF VI and Mafolofolo appearing rejuvenated: “The aim is to defend our title but we know that it is going to be tough unlike the previous season.”

In other Sunday matches, second placed BDF VI will play against fourth placed Dynamites. Coach Lee Tshipana’s army girls will be aiming to win the match and put pressure on log-leaders Mafolofolo. Dynamites will also play against Kalavango.

On Saturday BDF VI will play against Kalavango while Mafolofolo will face Spiking Stars at Lobatse Sports Complex at nine o’clock in the morning.

There will be several matches played in the men’s league on Saturday. In Lobatse, Spiking Stars will meet Tanian, BDF VI will play against Mafolofolo, and Kalavango will face Tanian, while Mafolofolo will lock horns with Prisons.
Diphatsa will have an encounter with Desert Kings, Mag Stimela will meet Itekeng, and Diphatsa will play against Itekeng in Serowe. Ends