The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
HARARE City were yesterday forced to put their derby win celebrations on ice as they face a mammoth task when they meet University of Zimbabwe stars in an all-important National Volleyball League clash at the Bulawayo Club for the Disabled today.
The Citizens eased past the Zimbabwe Republic Police side’s Support Unit, courtesy of a 3-nill victory, but head coach Itsanang Abu-Busutu told his charges to halt the cocktail celebrations.
Despite starting this month’ s National League Tournament on a high, Busutu felt it prudent that his charges preserve whatever energy they have left for their grudge match against perennial rivals UZ, which is scheduled for White City arena today.
“We managed to win today (Saturday), yes, and that alone is a positive for us; but we are not celebrating much as we are facing a mammoth task when we meet UZ tomorrow (today),”said the Citizens coach.
“In UZ Stars lies the real battle,” he said.
His opposite number, Support Unit coach Donald Chademana, thought his team failed to make an impression on their opponents.
“We were just not in it. We really struggled and made so many unforced errors,” said Chademana.
“We picked some momentum in bits and pieces, but it wasn’t good enough.
“Fortunately all hope is not lost. lt’s back to the drawing board for us, and hopefully we will bounce back tomorrow,” said Chademana.
In as far as today’s grudge match is concerned, both UZ Stars and Harare City have unfinished business from last season. The former finished the season as champions while the latter were runners up.
They met again at last year’s Zone Six Games held in South Africa, during which UZ Stars once again reinforced their dominance over the Citizens.
Meanwhile in other matches, UZ men extended their lead after defeating Spartans 3-0 while their women’s side was also in fine form and eased past Harare City and Midlands State University three-nil.
