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THE Zimbabwe senior national volleyball teams have improved their positions on the latest International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) rankings with the men’s team 70th and women’s 84th in the world. Men moved from 74th and are tied with Botswana and Mozambique and are now ranked 11th in Africa.
Women are 84th and are ninth in Africa.
In men Tunisia and Egypt occupy the top two slots in Africa respectively.
Tunisia are 13th and Egypt 15th in the world.
In the women’s category Kenya and Algeria occupy one and two positions in Africa while in the world they are 13th and 14th.
Zimbabwe Volleyball Association administrator Sibangane Mashasha said it was a good development for the sport.
“It’s a good development on our side and we are happy about it but we still need to work hard to improve on a lot of areas,” said Mashasha.
He said their hope was that with the coming in of a new Ministry of Sport, volleyball would get better support and grow as a sport.
“Players need more time in camp and get more matches, we also need tactical and technical courses for our coaches and I hope with the new Ministry of Sport we will have a change of attitude towards the sport,” said Mashasha.
Meanwhile, the men’s senior national team that is taking part in the Zone Six World Championship qualifiers in Botswana lost 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 (3-00 to Zambia yesterday.
Zambia has managed a double over Zimbabwe in World qualifiers as they beat them in Malawi in July.
Mashasha said the players lost to a better side.
“I think players did not perform the way the coach expected but however we lost to a better team,” he said.
Mashasha said they still had a chance of making it to the next round if they manage to turn the tables on their opponents in the next two games.
“We have a chance of qualifying for the next round if we win our next two games,” he said.
Results
Day One: Zimbabwe 3, Lesotho 2
Day Two: Zimbabwe 3, Namibia 0
Day Three: Zimbabwe 0, Zambia 3
Fixtures
Today: Mozambique v Zimbabwe
Tomorrow: Botswana v Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter