This is the first time that Zimbabwe is taking part in this sport discipline and secretary general of the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association Taringisai Mapondera was optimistic of their chances. “Preparations for the qualifiers have been going on very well. We hope that the players will play well and qualify for the Mozambique finals,” said Mapondera.

The men’s team includes Nyashadzashe Takawira and Brighton Ngunzi. Ngunzi makes his first international appearance after he failed to travel for the beach volleyball sub-zonal competition as he had no proper travelling documents. The captain of the team is Eliot Mupariwa who will partnerRobert Njerere.

Viola Muchandiona will captain the ladies’ team and will be partnered by Nomatter Mabiza. Persuade Gwaba and Yeukai Mukumbira have been placed in the second team in the women’s category. The teams will battle for qualification against Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Angola and will play in a round robin format.

Mapondera said they are expecting the teams to qualify after the failure of the men and women’s volleyball teams who were booted out off the All-Africa-Games qualifiers that were held in Durban, South Africa.