Sport-S head coach Malik Ddamulira kept his message simple after his team’s dramatic comeback win over AS INJS, stay focused and keep moving.
His side fought back from two sets down to win 3-2 at BK Arena on Sunday, a result that keeps their hopes alive at the CAVB Men’s Africa Club Championship.
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AS INJS had taken control early, winning a tight first set 29-27 before cruising through the second 25-18. It looked like another straight-sets defeat for Sport-S, who had already fallen that way to Al Ahly and Kepler.
But they responded with purpose. Sport-S took the third set 25-18, then leveled the match with a composed 25-19 win in the fourth. In a tense decider, they edged AS INJS 18-16 to complete the comeback.
Ddamulira welcomed the win but remained measured.
“We are taking it game by game and this was our second win,” he said. “It might not be the win we desired because we wanted all three points, but the other team was also composed.”
He acknowledged AS INJS for pushing them all the way.
“The players looked mature. Them taking a point is something they worked for.”
Sport-S have now won two matches after a slow start, despite dealing with injuries to key players like Moses Odeke and Gum Malil. For the coach, the focus quickly shifted to what comes next.
“Getting two points is good. Now we have to fight to win another game,” he said.
They face a Cameroonian side next, and recovery is the priority.
“Right now the biggest thing is to recover and make sure we gain maximum points.”
Ddamulira made it clear the target has not changed.
“If we qualify for the next round, we shall be very happy because that is our target. We wanted to play well, and I think we have now started to play well.”
Next, Sport-S will face another West Africa side in Cameroon Sports Volleyball Club on Monday April 27.
