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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) Zone VI Club Volleyball Championships got underway at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Hall 3 on Saturday, with a total of 42 teams drawn from South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe battling it out for the premier regional club crown.

CAVB Zone VI president Fredrick Ndlovu said:

“We started very well; it has been an exciting competition. The teams are enthusiastic and we have seen some quality volleyball action. Clubs have been very positive and outstanding and showing great understanding of the game.

“The organisation of the competition has been on point and more importantly the level of competition is brilliant.”

Day one provided mixed fortunes for Zimbabwean teams. Support Unit flew the Zimbabwe flag with a comfortable 3-0 win over Lesotho Defence Forces in the women’s category.

The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) was downed 0-3 by a more superior Botswana Defence Forces side. Despite putting up a spirited performance, Harare City were felled 1-2 by Kamplits from South Africa. Spartans from Bulawayo also fell 0-3 to the Vaal University Technology from South Africa.

The Zimbabwe men’s teams had a tough day in office, with all four sides losing their games. Harare City narrowly lost 1-2 to Zambia’s Green Eagles, while Black Rhinos lost by a similar score line to another Zambian side Nkwazi. Bulawayo’s Spartans found the University of Johannesburg tough opponents and succumbed to a 0-3 loss. Naba fell 0-3 to Lesotho’s Red Skins.

Zimbabwe last played host to the tournament in 2006 when CBZ Jewels were crowned champions.

Support Unit and Naba have both come close to winning the regional competition, with the former losing 0-3 to Autoridade de Tributaria of Mozambique in the 2014 final in Maputo, while Naba were edged 2-3 by Botswana’s Police VI in last year’s final.

Results

Women: BDF 3-0 UZ, Harare City 2-1 Kamplits, Moyale Barracks 0-3 Kamwala Magic, LDF 0-3 Support Unit, VUT 3-0 Spartans, Blue Eagles 0-3 Super Select, Moyale Barracks 0-3 Kamplits

Men: Kamplits 0 -3 Police VI, Harare City 1-2 Green Eagles, Uni Jozi 3-0 Spartans, Indeni 1-2 BDF 6, Chalube 2-1 Kamuzu Barrack, Unza 0-3 Autoridade,Red Skins 3-0 Naba, Black Rhinos 1-2 Nkwazi. — @innocentskizoe