Volleyball South Africa’s VSA CUP, the 2nd tier inter-club championship for men and women has reached the semi-final stages of the competition currently being staged at the Tempe Military Base Indoor Sports Hall in Bloemfontein, Free State from 20-23 August.
From the outset coaches put their respective charges through a rigorous warm up session in their efforts to overcome the chilly Bloemfontein weather and to prevent injuries from not being ‘warm enough’ that could side line key players from the competition. The ‘cherry on the top’ for teams is an automatic qualification for the top two teams in both genders to the prestigious Tubby Reddy Classic, a gateway tournament to the African Zone 6 club championship.
In an all Gauteng first semi-final encounter Vaal University of Technology (VUT) will square up against Atlanta Eastleigh Kings whose attack force is spearheaded by former National Team players, Jamine Naidoo (SA Seniors), Keifer Govender(SA Juniors) and Gerald Chetty (SA Youth).
However, VUT the Eastleigh Kings’ opponents boast a star studded line up which is further strengthened by mercurial playmaker from Botswana, Kesego Kewakae and Zimbabwean power attacker, Simbarashe Chidziva. While VUT have the edge over the newly formed Atlanta Eastleigh Kings the latter’s skipper Jamine Naidoo made it clear that they are determined to qualify for the Tubby Reddy Classic at the end of September 2019.
In the 2nd semi-final clash local lads, the University of Free State (UOFS) meet tournament favourites Predators from KZN. Victory for newcomers UOFS will depend on how well be manage to contain the Predators’ inform power attackers, Jonas Motlhobi and Reolan Ramdeen who will be serviced with tailor made sets from Quwin Naidoo who was named as the 2019 NVL’s ( National Volleyball League) best setter.
The women’s first semi-final match will be contested by KZN’s Predators and Gauteng’s Super Kids while Free State’s Panthers and VUT will lock horns in the 2nd semi-final match.
Donovan Nair
VSA SG