Afrocat and Phoenix capped an exhilarating year for volleyball in the country with success in the Namibian Volleyball Federation (NVF) Cup at Swakopmund over the weekend.
The annual competition is contested by the champions of regional associations, comprising 16 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams, culminating in entry to the MTC Namibia Volleyball Premier League for the victors.
A gripping opening round at Rundu on 5 and 6 October set the tone for the semi-final and final games on Saturday, when Phoenix defeated Unam Queens to claim the women’s title, and Afrocat C beat Mighty Gunners for men’s honours.
“Even after 16 editions, the Bank Windhoek NVF Cup remains one of the biggest volleyball events in Namibia, where the top teams from the regional volleyball associations compete against each other in group stage and quarter-final games,” the volleyball federation says.
Afrocat C faced NamPower in the first men’s semi-final, attracting a large crowd of spectators given that the epic battles between them in the Central Volleyball Association (CVA) League earlier this season.
The day belonged to Afrocat C, the second-time participants of the Bank Windhoek NVF Cup, as they comprehensively defeated the CVA champions by three sets to zero.
In the second semi-final, competition debutantes Mighty Gunners upstaged Brutal Pact by three sets to two.
The Pact had to settle for fourth place after losing the third-place play-off to NamPower.
Similarly, NDF Phoenix delivered exciting performances to the women’s section on their way to glory.
They outclassed !Nakapele to punch their ticket to the all-CVA final, where they faced Unam Queens, who qualified for the decider by beating Vixens three sets to zero in the first semi-final game.
The two teams put on a captivating game befitting a final, and Phoenix secured gold by winning three sets to one.
The winners each received N$20 000 in prize money, courtesy of Bank Windhoek, with N$15 000 for the silver medallists, and N$10 000 for third place.
Teams in fourth position were rewarded with N$5 000 for their effort.
“Bank Windhoek has been a partner of the NVF in promoting volleyball in Namibia and ensuring that this cup is hosted on an annual basis, among other sponsored activities.
“It is the sponsor’s hope that the volleyball clubs are able to represent Namibia in regional and continental competitions in the near future,” the NVF says.
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