UZ Wolves Forfeit Harare Volleyball Premier League Derby Amid Controversy
UZ Wolves uncharacteristically walked out of the derby against NABA in the fourth set in protest over alleged biased officiating as the much-awaited Harare Volleyball Premier League match took an anticlimax at the UZ Courts on Sunday.
The rules, however, allow an aggrieved team to ask for a change in personnel or referee should they feel hard done, but the Wolves looked the other way and resorted to abandoning the game altogether. At that point, NABA led 20-13 in the game and 2-1 on sets.
The result was a forfeiture of the encounter, with NABA being awarded the match on a 25-0 three straight sets victory. In addition, UZ Wolves were docked three points and faced a financial penalty.
In hindsight, UZ Wolves players felt their emotions got the best of them but should have continued with the match. NABA had earlier clobbered Mambas 3-0. The wounded Black Rhinos, who lost 3-2 against Harare City on Saturday, descended heavily on Mambas, beating them 0-3, Harare City, on the other hand, eased to a 3-1 win over Manyame Falcons. Bindura Volleyball Club had a good outing on the courts, winning both their encounters; 1-3 against Old Hararians and a hard-fought 3-2 win against Pythons.
In the women’s division, Harare City fought back from 20-14 down in the first set against Mambas to win 3-0. AFC Commercial Bank walloped Pythons 3-0 and grafted to a 3-2 win against a spirited Jewels side.
HVPL Week 4 Results
Sunday, 11th June 2023
MEN:
Support 1-3 UZ
Harare City 3-1 Manyame Falcons
NABA 3-0 UZ Wolves***
Pythons 1-3 Manyame Falcons
Old Hararians 1-3 BVC
Mambas 0-3 Black Rhinos
NABA 3-0 Mambas
BVC 3-2 Pythons
WOMEN:
Mambas 0-3 Harare City
Manyame Falcons 2-3 Support Unit
Pythons 1-3 Manyame Falcons
Support Unit 1-3 UZ Wolves
AFC 3-0 Pythons
AFC 3- 2 Jewels
