18 Nov 2019

Police VI men’s team have added another silverware to their bulging collection by demolishing Kutlwano 3-0 in the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) cup final over the weekend.

‘Ditau’ as the team is known, are on a roll and have collected four major trophies in the past four years.

They won the last two league titles in 2016 and 2018, JB Sports Tournament in 2017 and the Zone VI Championships.

With the attacking force of Alec Engleton, Moemedi Siphambe, Phenyo Thebeng and Lebogang Magote on song, Police outclassed Kutlwano from the first whistle.

The ‘Big House’, who once again banked on veteran Shadrack Kapeko for inspiration, had no answer to the onslaught from ‘Ditau’ and succumbed to a 25-10 loss in the first set.

The Kutlwano block led by Reabetswe Jaba was unable to cope with the Police clinical attacks.

Kutlwano put up a stronger fight in the second set.

Their setter, Tjiyapo Madeluka linked effectively with attackers Tiroyaone Otimile and Libion Machae and they established a 15-12 lead midway through the set.

The cops’ however stormed back after coach Shimaka Ngwanaotsile brought on Happy Ribbin and Bokao Nagafela to seal a straight set victory after winning the set 25-21 and the third set 25-18.

Police coach, Ngwanaotsile, commended his team for a great performance.

“We played very well today. We made some mistakes in the second set, where we failed to receive well. But I called time and we talked about how we were going to receive. We managed to play well afterwards and finished the game,” he said.

He said the introduction of Ribbin and Nagafela helped to increase his team’s attacking strength.

Kutlwano, however gained revenge in the ladies’ category by beating Police 3-0 to win the title.

Kutlwano were the better side with their star players, Tracy Chaba and captain, Tebogo Sejewe in good form.

However, Police gave a good account of themselves and the 3-0 score line was perhaps not a true reflection of the match. The likes of Chada Majaha, Ashley Harujezu, Patricia Moribame and Lorato Chaizake played well. They competed well in the first and second sets, despite losing both sets by identical 25-20 score.

Kutlwano were unstoppable in the third set, which they won 25-13. Their setter Cynthia Nfana provided pinpoint balls for Sejewe, whose spikes were too good for the Police to block.

Kutlwano coach, Dopp Popo said he was happy that the team managed to break its drought after going a few years without winning a trophy.

Kalavango men got a bronze medal after beating BDF VI 2-1 in the third place playoff. Mag Stimela ladies beat Kalavango 2-1 in the ladies playoff to seal a bronze medal.

The competition was played over a period of two weeks. It was sponsored by Botswana Volleyball Federation and meant to give volleyball teams some competitive action after being inactive for a long time as a result of the league being not played this year due to unavailability of sponsors. Ends