NVL Playoffs 2022/23: Fixture Shake-Up Pits Sport-S Against Reigning Champions OBB

In an exciting turn of events, fans of Ugandan volleyball will be treated to a showdown between Sport-S and reigning champions OBB.

The National Volleyball League playoffs are finally here, and teams are eagerly looking forward to a weekend full of thrilling matches.

The Old Kampala Arena is set to host the event starting on the 01st of April, with the possibility of shifting to the Lugogo indoor Arena if need be.

The playoffs will feature six games each day, with teams from different Series or divisions competing for the top spot.

The format will see the table leader play the fourth team on the log, while the second best will play against the third team in their respective division.

In the Men’s Serie A, Sport-S is the table leader, having stretched an unbeaten run in the regular season to 17 games.

However, their impressive run came to an end when they lost 3-1 to Uganda Christian University (UCU), who also beat them in the Ndejje Open final.

In an exciting turn of events, fans of Ugandan volleyball will be treated to a showdown between Sport-S and reigning champions OBB.

This upcoming match promises to be a thrilling rematch of last season’s intense semi-finals clash, which saw OBB emerge victorious en route to their eventual title triumph over Nemostars in the finals.

The stakes are high for both teams, with Sport-S eager for redemption and OBB determined to defend their hard-earned crown.

In Sport-S, OBB find an opponent they’ve lost to on all meetings this season, starting with the National Club Championships final and the 2022/23 season opener.

The departure of Lawrence Yakan, their former coach, seemed to have triggered a chain of events that ultimately led to their inconsistent performance this season, particularly after their disappointing loss to Sport-S in the season opener.

Despite their title-holding status, the team’s recent struggles had left many questioning their ability to maintain their position at the top of the league.

However, the resilient boys of OBB managed to regain their winning form after a mid-season coaching change. Following the replacement of former coach Luke Eittit with the seasoned Johnson Kawenyera, the team’s performance took a dramatic turn for the better.

Rumors however are now circulating that Kawenyera may soon be parting ways with the Iganga-based club, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering about the team’s future prospects.

Despite this uncertainty, OBB’s loyal supporters remain hopeful that their beloved team will overcome these challenges and continue to compete for the ultimate prize.

Still in the Men’s Serie A, KAVC is second on the log and will face UCU, a varsity side that has come all guns out from surviving relegation last season to destablizing the top four this season.

UCU is the favorite at this stage, having won the Aporu cup final, Ndejje Open and being the only team to beat Sport-S in the regular season.

It would be unwise to discount KAVC from the title race though, especially given their recent resurgence under the leadership of Zimbabwe’s Dube Memory.

Since her arrival to head the technical team, KAVC has undergone a remarkable transformation, going from missing out on the playoffs in the previous season to finishing a commendable second in the regular season standings.

With the team’s gears now shifted, they are on a mission to capture their sixth national league title, a feat that has eluded them for what seems like an eternity.

As they continue to gather momentum and build confidence, KAVC will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge to UCU, that stands in their way.

In the women’s top flight, the defending champions, Ndejje Elites, are third on the log, having lost key players such as Moreen Mwamula, setter Jesca Kaidu, and Center Faith Magole to OBB at the start of the season.

Despite the acquisition of Catherine Ainembabazi and Daphine Mpumwire, their squad was injured, and they finished behind KCCA and women’s table leaders Sport-S.

While the venue might be smaller than the Lugogo indoor Arena, the players and coaches are ready to put on a great show and the organizers promised a shift to the desired venue if need arises and the Lugogo indoor is available.

With a lineup of thrilling matches and exciting matchups, this year’s National Volleyball League playoffs are not to be missed.