ZIMBABWE EAGLES READY TO SOAR IN THE BATTLE OF ZAMBEZI

 

The Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA) has named a 20-man squad to take on neighbours Zambia in the highly anticipated return leg of the Battle of the Zambezi, set for Lusaka from May 22-24, 2026.

The ZVA made the announcement ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested Zam-Zim International Friendly series, with the Eagles carrying the confidence of their 2025 Harare showdown into enemy territory.

Head coach Itsanangu Abubasutu will lead the technical bench in the Zambian capital, supported by assistant coaches Gift Chirebvu and Munyaradzi Mavima, with Farai Mboto serving as team manager and Munyaradzi Chita handling welfare duties.

The squad reads as a blend of experience and youthful ambition, featuring players who have been part of Zimbabwe's growing volleyball programme. Shayne Mashininga, Tatenda Karuma and Nyaradzi R. Sibanda headline the selection alongside Godfrey Kaseke, Panashe Sangonya, and Mathew Musamanyada. 

The full squad also includes Kudakwashe Kandanda, Nigel Kadumba, Tanaka Hwara, Michael Mapfumo, Apronage Ngorima, Takudzwa Mashaka, Nigel Banda, Brian Muchena, Trymore Nyakwangwa, Kudzai Mazviro, Macklin Rangwani, Charles Chitedzi, Dean Mukusa and Keith Kapanga.

More than just regional bragging rights are at stake. The matches serve as critical preparation for the CAVB Senior Nations Championship Zone VI Qualifiers, making this series a genuine litmus test of Zimbabwe's continental ambitions.

"These matches are crucial preparation for the CAVB Senior Nations Championship Zone VI Qualifiers," the ZVA said in a statement. "We are carrying the momentum from 2025 and the hunger for the Championship. It's time to show the region what Zimbabwe is made of."

"The Zimbabwe-Zambia volleyball rivalry has intensified in recent years, with the 2025 Harare edition adding extra spice to what is fast becoming one of southern Africa's most compelling bilateral volleyball contests. The return fixture on Zambian soil is expected to draw significant interest from volleyball fans across the region.

- Kudakwashe Gahadzikwa

HOCKEY, DIVING AND CRICKET AMONG SPORTS REMOVED AXED FOR 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Hockey, rugby sevens and diving are among the big-name Commonwealth Games casualties, axed from the pared-back Glasgow program in 2026.

The Games, relocated to Scotland after Victoria's withdrawal as host, will feature just 10 events, which is nine less than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham.

Other sports to be left out include cricket, badminton, beach volleyball, mountain biking, rhythmic gymnastics, squash and table tennis.

Athletics and swimming were the only sports guaranteed a spot on the program, which also includes track cycling, weightlifting, 3x3 basketball and lawns bowls -- all of which include a para equivalent.

Netball, artistic gymnastics, judo and boxing round out the chosen 10.

Multiple sports including Hockey have been dropped from the Commonwealth games. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

As a cost-saving measure, the 10 sports will be spread across just four venues -- Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena and the Scottish Event Campus.

Athletes and support staff will stay in hotel accommodation rather than an athletes village.

The 2026 program will be officially released later on Wednesday.

The multi-sport event had been endangered since the government of Victoria pulled out as host last year, citing spiralling costs, which, it claimed, had blown the budget out to $6 billion.

Victoria paid $380 million in compensation to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), of which $200 million will be directed to Scotland to cover its hosting costs.

That figure will be topped up by $4.5 million from Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) to cover security, with neither the UK nor Scottish governments prepared to use public money -- though the former is said to be prepared to underwrite any additional security costs.

"This is a fantastic outcome for the Commonwealth sport movement," CGA president Ben Houston said last month.

"The Commonwealth Games are at the heart of Australia's performance pathway, often providing the launch pad for continued and ongoing success by Australian athletes.

"They are irreplaceable in terms of providing global competition and, in the absence of an Australian host, it was in the interests of Australian sport that we make an overseas Games a reality."

- AAP

20 TEAMS READY FOR ISLES VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

ZANZIBAR: MORE than 20 teams are preparing for the Mapinduzi Cup Beach Volleyball Open Championship, which is scheduled for January 27th to 28th at Kendwa Beach in Zanzibar.

Amir Msimu, the Beach Volleyball Commissioner for the Zanzibar Amateur Volleyball Association, said that the event preparations are in top gear, and they expect more teams to register before the deadline.

Msimu has invited different teams to participate in the competitions.

So far, 21 local teams from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar have confirmed their participation.

Among these registration teams, 15 are men’s, and six are women’s teams.

Msimu is optimistic that more teams will register before the deadline for local teams.

NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL SWEEPS OMAHA IN FRONT OF A RECORD CROWD

THE MOMENT NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL HEARD THE NUMBER

BEACH VOLLEYBALL 🏐 CHAMPIONSHIP | HABVC | SCOPE EVENTS | TANZANIA 🇹🇿

 

NCAA SEASON 98 | BENIDE VS. MAPUA | MEN'S VOLLEYBALL

BODIES FOUND IN SEARCH OF VOLLEYBALL TEAM | TURKEY AND SYRIA EARTHQUAKE

 

Three bodies have been found by recuers in Turkey as they search for a group of volleyball players after a hotel collapsed following Monday's massive earthquake.

BRAZIL 🇧🇷 VS. POLAND 🇵🇱 | WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL NATIONS LEAGUE 2022

 

THAILAND HAS MADE ON OF THE GREATEST VOLLEYBALL VICTORY | NVL 2022