KCB Nkumba face Sport-S in blockbuster Volleyball League final

National Volleyball League ( Final playoffs)

Sunday 18th ( Old Kampala)

Women 
KCB- Nkumba v Sport- S (3pm)

Men 
Sport - S v Nemo ( 5pm) 

The National Volleyball League women’s finals are to bring the stage ablaze this Sunday at Old Kampala as defending league champions KCB Nkumba Volleyball Club clash with Sport-S in what is to be a classic match.

KCB Nkumba earned the last qualification following a win over KCCA Women’s Volleyball Club in a tight semifinal match. Sport-S women pummeled UCU Doves with a 3:1 win to qualify for the championship match.

Speaking ahead of the final, KCB Nkumba head coach Tony Lakony praised his players for their resilience.

"The girls are ready to face Sport-S. The season has not been very steady. We lost five of our key players during the season, and it has required a lot of effort for us to recover,” Lakony said. 

“Just qualifying for the playoffs was something unreal. We have built a new setter, receivers, and changed the team dynamics.”

Among the new talents that have replaced Nkumba are receiver Akello Dinah and setter Odermmat Katrina, who have been instrumental in reviving the team. 

Lakony also noted the exit of Otin Hadija, Aloyo Monica, Acelun Hadija, Hajara Namugerwa, and Akol Babra, which forced the team to reorganize and rethink its roster.

"The team has been improving throughout the season and thus all of them have been positively contributing to their journey,” Lakony said. 

He emphasized that it is necessary to hold on to the basics, especially at the net defense. 

“We have gotten better but still a work in progress. We need to do the basics correctly, especially at the net.”

Coach Lakony will rely heavily on the consistent performances of receivers Adong Grace and Namala Habiba, Bitijuma Luwedde and Najjuma Barbra.

“The receivers have given us a good platform to deliver for the club,” he added further. 

“I am preparing them to be calm, consistent, and stable in this last dance.”

Pounded when questioned if his players were mentally prepared, he replied laconically.

“Same as every day. Some have been there before; some are doing finals for the first time.” 

Despite the uneven experience in the team, Lakony is confident that his team is mentally prepared for the task.

In the men’s final, Nemostars reached the playoffs finals after two closely fought victories against KCCA Men. 

The final match was played with a narrow margin of 3:2 [25:20, 22:25, 20:25, 25:16, 10:15], taking Nemostars to the next level. They will face Sport-S men, who qualified after a straight-set victory over UCU [22:25, 25:28, 16:25] in the semifinal round.