Brandon Moyo
FOR the first time in five years, rugby enthusiasts in Bulawayo will get the opportunity to watch a national side play in their backyard when a provincial team locks horns with Zimbabwe A at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds this afternoon.
The last time a national side played at Hartsfield was back in August 2019 when Zimbabwe hosted Kenya in a Victoria Cup encounter and since then – with the Covid break also coming in – there has not been any action at the home of rugby.
The return to the home of rugby will be made more special as the triumphant Sables will present their Rugby Africa Cup trophy to the fans in Bulawayo and also to the Mayor, David Coltart.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) vice president South, Thembelani Ncube said they are looking forward to the momentous occasion and the game will present local players with the chance of making names for themselves. Ncube said this is the opportunity for players to put their hands up for national selection.
“We are excited by this initiative whereby we are going to be hosting Zimbabwe A here in Bulawayo and also presenting our trophy to the Mayor. Our boys are ready and excited to make sure that they play to their level best to make sure that they will be eligible to be selected in the future for the national side.
“We haven’t had such an opportunity presented to us for years, the last time when we hosted the national team here in Bulawayo was when we played against Kenya years back. Rugby lovers in Bulawayo have not been experiencing the national side coming to play in the home of rugby which is Hartsfield. We are excited that the game is coming back to the home of rugby,” said Ncube.
In an effort to make sure that Bulawayo’s status as the home of rugby is restored, Ncube added that they will also be hosting South Africa Rugby Union side, Limpopo Blue Bulls in the near future. Ncube called on all the rugby faithful to come through in numbers.
“We believe that this is one of the first steps we have taken to make sure that the game is back in Bulawayo and we hope in the near future as well, we are going to be hosting the Limpopo Blue Bulls. Rugby lovers in Bulawayo need to come through and make sure they watch the game that they love the most,” he said.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) chairperson Carrington Busili also expressed his excitement to hosting Zimbabwe A. Busili said it is an honour to have been awarded the priviledge to host a game of such magnitude and promised a show to last a lifetime.
“Hosting Zimbabwe A is a monumental honour for Bulawayo. I am incredibly proud to see our city take centre stage in Zimbabwean rugby this weekend. To local fans, I promise an unforgettable experience with top notch talent, passionate performances and a celebration of rugby excellence. Let’s rally behind our team and make Bulawayo proud,” said Busili.
Zimbabwe A arrived in the City of Kings and Queens yesterday while the Bulawayo provincial select team has been hard at work over the past week. The final 23 man squad expected to do duty against Zimbabwe A was named on Thursday by provincial head coach Nelson Madida. However, the final Zimbabwe A team is yet to be revealed.
Madida said his charges are eagerly looking forward to the match and are grateful to ZRU for awarding them the opportunity to showcase what they are made of to the rest of the nation.
“Our preparations have been good. This is a rare opportunity that we never had in Bulawayo for a long time. Thank you to the ZRU president, Losson Mtongwiza, ZRU administration and Sables coach Piet Benade for this great initiative. Our boys are excited and I hope this inspires and grows the upcoming generation for a greater future and belief in our Zimbabwe Sables set up,” said Madida.
With Madida as the provincial head coach, he will be working alongside Victor Chiwara (assistant coach), Francis Nakamu (forwards assistant), Ntando Ndlovu (backs assistant), Melford Matarirano (manager).
Today’s match is scheduled to start at 15.00pm with gate charges pegged at US$1 for general entry and US$2 for the VIP shade.
Bulawayo provincial squad to face Zimbabwe A:
Mandisa Masuku, Biggie Nekati, Zenzele Ncube, Isheunesu Chinganga, Patrick Macklin, Sean Ncube, Tanaka Ndiraire, Innocent Ncube, Ethan Wilson/Exalted Tomu, Brian Dube, Exalted Tomu, Nqobani Lintini/Thabo Ndlovu, Glen Maseko, Tawanda Takawira, Babongile Ncube
Impact Players:
Blessed Ncube, Dino Mhlanga, Irvine Nduwa/Tinevimbo Nyoni, Naidel Ncube, Mayibongwe Ncube, Keith Nyathi, Anthony Kalubi, Justin Khumalo, Theo Goredema, Keith Nyathi, Emilio Wilson, Ethan Wilson/Thabo Ndlovu. – @brandon_malvin
