By Damas Sikubwabo

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) volleyball club coach Jean Paul Mana has warned arch rivals Gisagara that his side will not lose hope in pursuit of the club’s first league title despite having lost Game 1 last weekend.

The defending champions Gisagara won Game One of the best-of-three finals series on May 26. The two arch rivals will face-off on June 16 in Game 2 at Amahoro stadium, a win for REG will see the series tied to 1-1.

Victory for Fidele Nyirimana’s men will see the Gisagara district-sponsored side retaining the crown as champions for the 2017/2018 season.

REG are yet to win a major title since the club’s formation 18 months ago, and coach Mana is confident his side will give Gisagara a tough run for their money in the ongoing playoffs finals.

"It’s unfortunate that we lost Game 1 of the series, we are in a tricky situation now. However, we believe everything is still possible. Game 2 is a must-win for us and thankfully we will be hosting the match. We still have the league title in our reach and we have not given up.  We will fight until the last minute,” Veteran volleyballer Mana told Sunday Sport yesterday.

He further noted that, "We worked very hard to reach the finals, and we absolutely deserved it. But we have one tougher task at hand, to challenge Gisagara for the league title. It will require great effort and sacrifice but we are ready for whatever it takes.”

REG have only won one title, Rutsindura Memorial Tournament 2017, since joining the topflight volleyball league two years ago.

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