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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter

SPARTANS coach Vulindlela Moyo says his side will have to put in extra work at training if they are to be a competitive side in the Zimbabwe Open Volleyball finals set for Gweru in a fortnight.

Spartans’ men and Victoria Falls women’s team Shalom Ballers qualified for the Zimbabwe Open Volleyball finals after the past weekend’s qualifiers.

Qualifiers for teams from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South were held at White City Stadium in Bulawayo at the weekend.

Teams that participated in the men’s qualifiers at White City courts are Highlanders, Shalom Ballers, Nust Vikings, Spartans, Gwanda Wolves and Highlanders.

After the round-robin clashes, Spartans finished top of the group after beating Gwanda Wolves and Highlanders 3-0 and losing 1-3 to Shalom Ballers.

“Firstly, I am glad that my players are back in training. It was a good tournament though you could see that the players were not ready. At the end of the tournament, it was clear that fatigue had taken its toll on them. The endurance part was missing in the players, some of them were playing with injuries,” said Moyo.

“Tactically we were good. We played according to our strengths. We were missing four senior players, but we were still able to cope using youngsters, who fitted well into the team.

“We have to go and work hard in the next six to seven days if we are going to be competitive (in the Zimbabwe Open finals). In terms of our chances at the finals, l will be able to give judgment after our first game there,” he said.
Spartans will face winners from other qualifiers, who include Naba from Harare, More Fire (Masvingo) and Cut from the Midlands.

With no other women’s teams registering for the qualifiers, Shalom Ballers got automatic qualification to the finals.
Prudent Ndlovu, who coaches both Shalom men and women, said as a new club, the Zimbabwe Open qualifiers have been an eye opener.

“For our men’s team, the qualifiers were a good exposure for us. We are a young club that is still growing and we believe these competitions will help us grow and become the best in the country and in the region. Our ladies’ side is already preparing for Gweru and we hope to do well,” said Ndlovu. — @innocentskizoe