The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
BURKINA Faso are expected in the country on Friday for the Rugby Africa Cup pool D fixtures against Zimbabwe.
The Stallions, winners of last month’s Rugby Africa repechage which also featured Cameroon and Burundi held in Ouagadougou will face the Sables of Zimbabwe in back to back fixtures in Harare on 18 and 22 July prior to their departure on 23 July.
Rugby Africa were forced to change the venue for pool D when Tunisia withdrew as the host nation due to rising Covid-19 cases in the North African country. As if that was not enough, Tunisia were also stopped from travelling to Zimbabwe by their Government, which left pool D with just two countries.
The matches between the Sables and the Stallions will be played under strict Covid-19 guidelines with no spectators inside the stadium.
Brendan Dawson’s men, who have been in camp since 16 May will get to enjoy home advantage in a crucial tournament that serves as a qualification pathway for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
It has been a confusing time for the Sables who have had to adjust their plans as they had to cancel plans to for a friendly match against Portugal, which they had planned on their way to Tunisia.
Now that thigs are confirmed, the Hilton Mudariki led sables can now focus on the two matches against Burkina Faso, which are likely to be one sided in favour of Zimbabwe. -@Mdawini_29
