SESHEGO – UNIVERSITY of Limpopo’s (UL) volleyball coach, Jacob Thamaga has been labeled as “arrogant” for his confidence that the team would beat the Bela Bela Kamplits, whom they play against at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Indoor Sports Complex in Seshego this Saturday.
He is also confident that the players will give a good account of themselves during the University Sports of South Africa (USSA) Games from June 29 to July 3 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.
This weekend he goes into battle against a fierce juggernaut that features one of the robust blockers of the modern game in Potlako Moloisane.
Not only is Moloisane a sturdy blocker, but also a vicious attacker.
His opposite number at Kamplits, coach Levy Thantsha can make his game plan even trickier by throwing award-winning setter Tebogo Maenetja, as well as Phindi Issa, who is also a reputable smooth server.
But still, Thamaga is having none of it, he fears no one, as he said ahead of this battle of the titans.
“We are ready to take on Kamplits. Come Saturday we will prove to all and sundry that we are the best team in the province this year as we have the best blockers and attackers in the provincial league. We have three national players in Shai Rafapa, Pester Shiburi and Jerry Motsheki. Who then will stop us?” Thamaga asked.
If the previous season’s UL and Kamplits encounter is anything to go by, sparks will definitely fly this weekend.
In the league clash, Kamplits won the match, but UL made a ferocious comeback and won the top eight encounter.
“We’ll repeat the same feat this weekend,” Thamaga said in no uncertain terms.
He has a Herculean task when he travels to Port Elizabeth for the USSA Games.
Thamaga concedes that the varsity games are a different ballgame and that as coach, he will need the wisdom of Solomon and his players will require the strength of Samson.
