The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
FOR Harare City Volleyball club, this year’s edition of the Zone XI tournament in Malawi is all about maintaining their status.
The regional contest is scheduled to start this Friday in Lilongwe.
City and University of Zimbabwe Wolves men and women’s teams booked their spots after emerging the top teams during the National Volleyball League.
Organisers of the Malawi regional tournament then extended invitations to other teams that have the capacity to participate.
Therefore, Support Unit, Manyame Airbase and Black Rhinos are expected to be part of the cast of teams from Zimbabwe at the competition.
After scooping this year’s local championship titles, City’s teams believe that they have an image to protect at the regional tournament.
They will also have a chance to make a name for themselves at the contest when they face both local and regional rival teams.
Despite the financial challenges bedevilling the club, the men in charge of both teams have expressed satisfaction with the players’ hunger for success.
The men’s coach Itsanang Abu-Basutu said winning the league championship was a morale booster for his players.
However, winning comes with the pressure of having to maintain the status.
“During camp, the boys’ state of mind and character is impressive.
“Winning the championship locally had a huge positive impact on them. I knew that my boys really needed mental strength, which we focused much on when we assumed camp,” he said.
The Municipality boys have been working on improving their defence and attacking strategies.
Abu-Basutu believes they are ready for the regional test.
With the return of renowned power hitter Terrence Chapidzinga, who has been on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, City are set to make a huge impact on the regional stage.
“Chapingidza is back and has jelled well with the others. For a person who has just returned from injury, I am happy with his perfomance, it is beyond what I expected,” said the coach.
Women assistant coach Tawanda Pamire said his charges will capitalise on speed and power during the regional tournament.
“Our style of play has always been speed and power. ln camp, we have been doing much of that most of the time. We are now ready.
ln the past, physical fitness has been one of their problems due to inadequate training time.
“Previously, we would train for two days a week, which translates to low physical fitness.
“Since we came into camp, we have been focusing on that. I am happy because there has been so much improvement, which I know will make a positive impact.
“Most local clubs will be at the tournament. Apart from Botswana and South Africa, the local teams are our deadliest rivals because they need to rewrite some history. On the other hand, we have an image to protect so we need to be in our finest form,” he said.
Pamire said the camp provided his players with the much-needed conditioning, strengthening and build bonds.
However, in the absence of Charity Chikore and Tsungirirai Taderera due to work commitments, the Lady Citizens will have to bank on Ashely Chimedza for height.
