ZIMBABWE women showed championship character yesterday, digging deep to beat Zambia 3-2 after trailing 2-0 at Sunrise Sports Club.
The comeback in their final round-robin CAVB Africa Qualifier match sets the tone for tomorrow’s CAVB Zone VI LA28 Olympic qualification final between the same two sides.
Zambia came out firing and took the first two sets, looking set to sweep the hosts as they had swept Malawi and Namibia.
But Zimbabwe regrouped, adjusted their block and serve, and clawed back to force a decider before sealing a dramatic 3-2 win.
Nyengeterai Guyo, Zimbabwe women’s opposite hitter, said the fightback gave the team belief ahead of the rematch for gold and a step closer to Los Angeles 2028.
“Coming from 2-0 down shows the character we want at this level. Zambia started better, but we never gave up,” Guyo told NewsDay Weekender Sport.
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“We fixed our serve reception, tightened the block, and played with heart in the last three sets.
“This was a dress rehearsal and now we know we can beat them when it matters. Tomorrow (today) is the final and we are ready.”
Zimbabwe finished top of the table after winning all their three matches.
The win means both teams enter today’s final knowing the other can be beaten.
For their confidence will draw inspiration from turning the match around while Zambia will want revenge after letting a 2-0 lead slip.
The Zimbabwe men’s team took to their court later yesterday needing to beat Namibia to force a final rematch against Zambia today.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe men’s team blew Namibia away 3-0 yesterday to book their own final showdown against Zambia today.
The sweep keeps their LA28 hopes alive.
Head coach Itsanang Abubasutu said the clinical performance was exactly what his side needed after their earlier stumble.
“The boys were ruthless today. 3-0 against Namibia shows we have fixed the errors from earlier in the week,” Abubasutu said.
“Now we have the Zambia rematch we wanted.
“They beat us before, but we have learned and we are coming for them tomorrow (today).
“The boys are ready to finish the job.”