adminNgqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
THREE-TIME Bulawayo provincial volleyball champions Mpopoma High School finally lost their dominance in the city following defeats to Eveline and Induna High schools at a National Association of Secondary School Heads Under-20 inter-district tournament played at Milton High School on Friday.
Mpopoma lost in both the girls and boys matches on similar 0-2 scorelines in the finals, results that came as a shock to many who had tipped them to represent the province at the national finals slated for Gokwe on the weekend of July 25-27.
The tournament was attended by 12 teams (six girls and six boys’ teams) from five districts in Bulawayo namely Reigate, Khami, Mzilikazi, Mbizo and Bulawayo Central.
The defending district, Mzilikazi, was represented by two teams – Mpopoma and Mzilikazi High schools.
On their way to the finals Induna boys recorded wins over Nkulumane and Premier High School both 2-0 victories in Pool A and defeated Luveve High School 2-1 in the semi-finals, while Mpopoma who were in Pool B triumphed over Luveve and Milton with 2-0 wins before edging Nkulumane 2-0 in the semi-finals.
In the girls’ section Eveline who were in Pool B beat Tennyson and St Bernard’s High School 2-0 before knocking out Mzilikazi 2-0 in the semi-finals. In Pool A Mpopoma beat Nkulumane and Mzilikazi 2-0 before knocking out St Bernard’s 2-0 in the semi-finals.
Nash head-in-charge of volleyball for Bulawayo Province Ntombizodwa Gumede said the result showed that other schools had improved.
“The two surprise wins for Eveline and Induna who will now be representing us at the national finals are a sign that other schools have been practising hard and overall the standard of play has gone up as well in the city,” she said.
Induna coach Jeopardy Zarira said despite their win in the finals, Mpopoma were a hard nut to crack and still remain the better team.
“The competition was stiff but we managed to read the game and plan on how to stop their attacking play by capitalising on blocking their attackers,” said Zarira, adding that they will give their all to win the inter-provincial finals.
An elated Eveline coach Jobert Ngwenya said his team played very well in ending Mpopoma’s dominance.
“I am happy we have finally broken the three-year jinx, our standard has improved as well,” he said.
Results
Semi-finals
Boys: Induna 2-1 Luveve, Mpopoma 2-0 Nkulumane
Girls: Eveline 2-0 Mzilikazi, Mpopoma 2-0 St Bernard’s
Finals
Boys: Induna 2-1 Mpopoma
Girls: Eveline 2-1 Mpopoma
Online Reporter