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Nemostars cannot afford to allow UCU to stretch the lead to four points. UCU, on the other hand, cannot afford to enable Nemostars to back in it.
Only one point separates UCU Doves and Nemostars in the race for fourth place in the National Volleyball League.
UCU are on 21 points and occupy the last playoffs spot while Nemostars, on 20, are lurking in fifth place.
The two sides face off Sunday evening at the Old Kampala Arena, and defeat for either side could have severe ramifications.
Nemostars cannot afford to allow UCU to stretch the lead to four points. UCU, on the other hand, cannot afford to enable Nemostars to back in it.
“It is going to be a tough game,” Nemostars head coach Andrew Okapis told Pulse Sports ahead of the game.
“It is a fact that we are transitioning and not doing very well at the moment. So we expect a highly competitive game,” he added.
The six-time champions have already lost five games this season and cannot afford more slip-ups.
Fourth place is the most realistic target for the two sides, with six games left. “Our target is to get to the playoffs, which is still within reach,” Okapis noted.
“UCU is a young and organised side, but we have the pedigree that we can rely on. It will be an adamant game for sure.”
While Nemostars took all three points from the first-round fixture, they will be weary of the challenge paused by the university side.
Gideon Angiro remains the go-to man for UCU, and his offensive prowess will undoubtedly worry Okapis and his charges.
“It is a big game for the two teams and a do-or-die for us,” Doves Coach-player Elias Isiagi said. “We are ready and will do our best to get the win,” he added.
Nemostars still have OBB to deal with, and while that looks like the only threat left after the UCU game, both KCCA and Tigers got the point off the 2019 league champions and cannot be taken lightly.
For UCU, the road is still rough. KAVC, Sport-S and OBB are some sides the university side has not faced in the second round.
No one will be looking too far ahead, though. Sunday’s game is the immediate concern, and any victor will have taken a big step in the right direction.
Sunday fixture
Women
OBB vs Espoir -10am
KCB-Nkumba vs KCCA -12PM
Men
Tigers vs Ndejje at -2pm
Nemostars vs UCU -4pm
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