Volleyball fans continue to witness surprises in the ongoing Dar es Salaam Regional Volleyball League at the National Indoor Stadium.
As the league approaches the end, youthful Makongo Secondary School became the latest underdogs to turn the tables on one of the tournament’s giants.
Makongo surprisingly beat second-placed Jeshi Stars 3-2 sets in an exciting match on Saturday to take home two important points, while the losers were awarded a point.
The win helped Makongo to leap from sixth to fifth position after collecting 15 points from 13 matches in the league that involves eight teams in the men’s category.
Makongo have a game in hand before the second leg climaxes next weekend to allow play-offs. Yesterday’s win followed last weekend’s 3-0 triumph over Chui and 3-1 victory over Future that enabled them to enter the race for a top four finish that will qualify them for the play-offs.
Several players and league followers were shocked by Makongo’s current good form. David Neeke was quoted in the Dar es Salaam Regional Volleyball (DAREVA) WhatsApp group as saying: “Makongo will be the best Tanzania team in two years to come.”
Roggsern Joseph said: “It is a pity that they only have a game in hand; it could be a disaster if they could have two remaining games in their current form.”
Makongo follow underdogs Chui who last week beat fifth-placed Twalipo 3-0 in a thrilling second leg match to collect their first points in the league organised by DAREVA. Jeshi Stars settle in second place with 33 points, four adrift of leaders Tanzania Prisons who will take on Chui at the same venue today.
But Chui, who remain at the bottom of the table with three points, once again failed to emulate their success over Twalipo after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Police Marine yesterday and they face another big test today.
Police Marine are in fourth place with 18 points which Makongo and sixth-placed Twalipo, who have 14 and had a match yesterday against Future, can reach.
Police Marine take on JKT today, while JKT ladies meet Makongo. According to one of the organisers Nassoro Shariff, the play-offs will be held before the league winds up on August 1.