The Sunday News
THE country’s national 15s rugby team, the Sables go into camp in Harare today as they step up preparations for the Africa Cup Division 1A opening fixture against Kenya at Prince Edward School on Saturday.
A squad of 32 players is expected to assemble at either Old Hararians or Harare Sports Club. Initially, 34 players were supposed to get into camp but three pulled out with one addition being made.
Sables coach Cyprian Mandenge said Old Johannians centre Daniel Capsopolous had already made other family plans as he did not anticipate being picked for national duty, Matabeleland Busters lock Jan Ferreira indicated that he sustained an injury in the gym and United Kingdom-based second rower Martin Wolfenden could not get time off from work.
Mandenge has called up lock Antipas Kwamwindo who has just returned home from Germany where he was playing club rugby for TV Pforzheim.
The squad is going to be trimmed down to 26 players on Wednesday with the final squad of 23 subsequently announced.
On the captaincy, Mandenge pointed out that he was still looking at the players in camp before he settles for the team leader and his deputy.
Last year, the Sables were led by centre Daniel Hondo who although still playing for his club Harare Sports Club has retired from international rugby to focus on his role as Zimbabwe national Sevens rugby team coach.
Tichafara Makwanya, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire, Denford Mutamangira, Cleopas Makotose, and Andrew Rose are the seasoned players in the squad who could be entrusted with the Sables captaincy.
Kenya, expected in the country on Thursday, will be in high spirits following a 41-15 triumph over Portugal in Nairobi last Saturday.
Mandenge is not concerned by the Kenya win over Portugal as he has full confidence that his players will deliver.
“Kenya did beat Portugal, we play different rugby. I believe in my players, they have been working hard, I am confident they will pull off a win,’’ said Mandenge.
The coach defended his decision to select scrumhalf Charles Jiji who is now a coach at Kyle College in Masvingo. Jiji had his best display in a Sables jersey in 2011 before he headed off to England for studies and concerns were that he was no longer the same player he was four years ago.
Mandenge, however, believes that the player is much better than he was prior to going abroad.
Kenya last defeated Zimbabwe during the Africa Cup Division 1A final in Antananarivo, Madagascar in July when the East Africans won 29-17. Zimbabwe did get their revenge last year, again in the Madagascan capital city when they triumphed 28-10 to deny the Kenyans a chance to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
After Kenya, Zimbabwe have another home fixture in Harare against Tunisia on 4 July and an away clash with World Cup-bound Namibia in Windhoek on 15 August.
Sables training squad
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Tatenda Murwira, Farai Mudariki, Pieter Joubert, Lawrence Cleminson, Royal Mwale, Kudzai Muzorewa, Sanele Sibanda, Biselele Tshamala, Tadiwa Parirenyatwa, Andrew Rose, Fortune Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Shingai Mpofu, David Makanda, Antipas Kamwindo
Backs: Charles Jiji, Teddy Hwata, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Boyd Rouse, Riaan O’Neil, Stephan Hunduza, Gardner Nechironga, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tangai Nemadire, Cleopas Makotose, Lungile Tshuma, Malvern Maparura, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, McLean Muhambi, Andrea Banda, Kilvan Magunje.
