Volleyball: Nemostars face Sport-S for place in 2018 finals
What you need to know:
- His side won 20 of 24 regular season games but the challenge has been in keeping the squad together.
- “As players mature, they get responsibilities that keep them away from training or playing games but during the playoffs we always find a way to regroup.”
Kampala. Nemostars have enjoyed breaking Sport-S fans and players’ hearts in the last two men’s Aziz Damani National Volleyball League finals.
This year, after a tough regular season in which Nemostars only confirmed their playoff spot on the last day, the two sides meet a level lower in the playoff semifinals that start today at MTN Arena – Lugogo.
“We work well under pressure and we are certainly confident of baking a nice cake for our fans,” Nemostars coach Andrew Okapis, told Daily Monitor ahead of the series.
His side won 20 of 24 regular season games but the challenge has been in keeping the squad together.
“As players mature, they get responsibilities that keep them away from training or playing games but during the playoffs we always find a way to regroup.”
Sport-S, who have never won the league, will hope that the defending champions will struggle in finding the chemistry that has seen them win four of the last five league titles.
Meanwhile, in the ladies’ category, Ndejje are back in the playoffs with the ultimate goal of fighting for a fifth league title in seven years.
But first they must silence Sport-S ladies in the playoffs. Both Sport-S sides will miss the touchline guidance from coach Benon Mugisha, who has since moved to Rwanda Energy Group (REG).
GAME ONE
Today at lugogo
W: Ndejje vs. Sport-S, 6pm
M: Nemostars vs. Sport-S, 8pm
*Game 2 will be held on Saturday
*Incase of Game 3, teams play on Sunday
Past winners
MEN, WOMEN
2017: Nemostars, Nkumba
2016: Not held, Ndejje
2015: Nemostars, Ndejje
2014: KAVC, VVC
2013: Nemostars, Ndejje
2012: Nemostars, Ndejje
2011: Nkumba, Nkumba
2010: KAVC, Nkumba
2009: Sport-S, Nkumba
2008: KCCA, KAVC
