BY VUYISWA MABILA
MBABANE- Eswatini’s Correctional Sunrise Volleyball Club proved their dominance in regional volleyball as the women’s team stormed to victory at the Red Skins International Volleyball Tournament in Maseru, Lesotho, over the weekend.
The three-day event at Lehakoe Club and Gym attracted 16 men’s and 8 women’s teams from Eswatini, South Africa, and Lesotho. Correctional Sunrise made their presence felt, with the ladies emerging as champions and the men finishing as runners-up.
The Correctional Sunrise Ladies were unstoppable, sweeping aside Scorpions 3–0 in the semi-finals before exacting sweet revenge against hosts Red Skins Lesotho, whom they had lost to in the group stage. This time, they dominated the final 3–0 to lift the trophy and walk away with E10,000 in prize money.
Head coach Mbuso Vilakati praised his players’ resilience after overturning that earlier defeat:
“The games were tough, especially the semis against a local rival, but the girls fought from day one till the final. Everyone expected us to lose in the finals since Red Skins had beaten us in the group stages, but we remembered that our mandate as the Correctional Services is to always be on top,” he said.
The ladies also swept individual awards, with Nokulunga Kunene named Most Valuable Player (E2,500 prize), while Nonduduzo Nxumalo (Best Blocker), Ncobile Dladla (Best Libero), Sbekelwe Mnisi (Best Attacker), and Vilakati himself (Best Coach) were recognized.
On the men’s side, Correctional Sunrise powered past Ecco Water 3–0 in the semi-finals but fell short in the final against Red Skins Lesotho, losing 3–0 to settle for second place and E5,000.
Coach Themba Sifundza highlighted the positives despite missing several key players:
“It was a good learning curve for the squad we took to Lesotho. We were missing key players like Nduku, Fortune, and Mangena, but the boys still gave their all. As a coach, I am happy—not for the loss—but for the lessons we gained from this experience,” he said.
With both teams reaching the finals and the women crowned champions, Correctional Sunrise once again showcased Eswatini’s rising influence in regional volleyball.
(Courtesy Pics)
