CHAMPIONSHIP winning coach Munya Mavhima said his charges, NABA needed no motivation getting into Sunday’s Harare Premier Volleyball League final against Black Rhinos at Support Unit given that Rhinos threw spanners on their national title last season.
NABA ran 3-1 victors at Support Unit Courts on Sunday to be crowned HPVL champions in Chikurubi.
A sweet victory for Mavhima and his troops, an experienced gaffer who has won several provincial and national league titles with NABA and UZ Wolves.
“Any final is never easy as players have fight stage fright, emotions and the opponent as well,” Mavhima told EnterSportNews.
“Considering NABA lost to Rhinos in the last year’s National League Final, players were already psyched up, which made our job easier as coaches.
“A big match against a bitter rival does not need much motivation as the players know the task. Of course, our game plan equipped the players with what to expect from the opponent. The players quickly got into the groove better than Rhinos, which assisted in gaining momentum and rhythm.”
Mavhima, who is winning the HPVL title for the first time with NABA, added that the win was driven by teamwork.
“It was largely a team effort, although some standout moments from the setter, Ronald Makombe, Charles Nyamasve and Collin Peter,” he added.
“Individual brilliance sometimes can be observed in some difficult situations, and the players had more of those, especially in transition.”
UZ Wolves won the men’s HPVL title last season, Black Rhinos came second, Harare City won bronze, and NABA settled for fourth place.
In the just-ended season, Rhinos maintained their silver medal. Black Mambas beat Support Unit in the third-place play-off to win bronze, while UZ Wolves finished distant fifth after seeing off Harare City in the fifth-place play-off.
