adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
BOTSWANA volleyball team Mag Stimela did not turn up for the international friendlies against local clubs at the weekend. With the senior men’s national team travelling in the opposite direction for African qualifiers, the city teams were hoping to utilise the Botswana Railways sponsored team’s tour to stay fit.
Vulindlela Moyo of ZRP Raiders whose team was supposed to host Mag Stimela, confirmed that the Batswana did not make the trip.
“We had organised friendly games against them (Mag Stimela), so that our teams stay fit, they failed to come and we are yet to get a reason as they have not communicated,” said Moyo.
He said it was also an opportunity for the women’s national team to prepare for the Zone Six qualifiers set for Zambia later this month.
Gweru-based club, Cats were the only team that showed up for the games.
Cats lost their first encounter 0-3 to Railstars and bounced back to beat ZRP Raiders 3-2 in the men’s games. Police outfit Raiders beat Highlanders 3-2 in the only women’s match.
Veteran coach Moyo, who is also in charge of the national women’s side, said the teams played well and it was good for them to get game time on the court.
“It was good for them to stay fit especially on the women’s side as they don’t play competitive matches in the league,” said Moyo.
Bulawayo teams are set to travel to Midlands for more friendly games, as they seek more competitive games before the team travels to Zambia for the Zone Six qualifiers.
“We are set to travel to Gweru, we want to play as many friendly matches as we can before the national team assignments. We cannot rely on league fixtures, as they are not organised at times and there are only two women’s teams Raiders and Highlanders, therefore I’m worried about my women’s team as they are not getting much game time,” he said.
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