Zimbabwe lost their first match against an experienced South African side, which never allowed their neighbors to take control of any set by winning 3-0. It was a convincing 25-15, 25-7, 25-10 victory by a determined South Africa.
Mauritius and South Africa appeared by far the stronger sides and certain to clinch the available two tickets to the second round of the qualifiers to be held in Algeria, in July.
The top two teams to emerge from the competition in Maputo will meet Egypt and Algeria from Group D in the next round of qualifiers set for July 15-17, in Algeria.
In the other qualifiers, Group A teams Cameroon, Senegal, Botswana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast will play each other once from June 3-7 for the top two places to meet Kenya and Tunisia from Group C in the second phase from July 10-12 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The final winners of the group qualifiers will go on to represent the continent in the 2010 Federation of International Volley-Ball (FIVB) Womens World Championships in Japan.