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Brandon Moyo
THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) is expected to pick their final provincial squad that will do duty against Zimbabwe A when they hold an inter-squad practice match at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds on Saturday.
A training squad of 37 players was picked following the completion of the 2024 BMRFB Archer Clothing Rugby League a fortnight ago. However, the squad will be trimmed down to a final 23 that will play against the national side on September 14.
From the picked 37 players, two teams will be selected, Matabeleland vs Development in a match pencilled in for Saturday for further selection. It is after the game that the squad will be cut down to a 23-member final team.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub during the week, team manager Melford Matarirano said they were looking forward to the game. He added that the selected players were raring to go and were looking forward to being a part of the team that will do duty against Zimbabwe A.
“We have a lot of work lined up and on Saturday, the provisional squad will take on the development team as part of their training. We are looking at having a strong team for the game against Zimbabwe A and we are eagerly looking forward to the game.
“Our squad is good, we had a good selection from the clubs that were competing in the just-ended league. The clubs came together to form a provincial team and we are excited to be recognised and we want to showcase what we have as Bulawayo. As a province, we have not only become a team but a family united in working together and improving our game,” said Matarirano.
The provincial team is under the tutelage of Nelson Madida who – also during the week – told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the programme is set to give local players exposure while also inspiring the future stars of Zimbabwean rugby.
Madida added that they were looking at promoting provincial rugby by aligning with the philosophy of the senior men’s national team head coach, Pieter Benade. He said their other target is to try and restore the glory days back to Bulawayo.
We are rebuilding the province by promoting a rugby identity that aligns with the demands of the national team coach, Pieter, with whom we have been communicating. This will give our local players an opportunity to be looked at and hopefully, selected for national programmes.
“This programme is already successful because it will give exposure to our upcoming players. Playing against the nation’s best and also inspiring the next upcoming generation of rugby players. It’s important for us, the newly appointed coaches, to set up a professional and progressive programme to bring Bulawayo rugby back to its glory days. It’s not easy work,” said Madida.
Madida will be working with Victor Chiwara (assistant coach), Francis Nakamu (forwards assistant) and Ntando Ndlovu (backs assistant) with Matarirano as the manager.
Provisional Bulawayo provincial team:
BACKLINE: Babongile Ncube, Brian Dube, Tawanda Takawira, Exalted Tomu, Prayer Ngulube, Thabo Ndlovu, Keith Mhlanga, Garfield Macebo, Theo Goredema, Justin Khumalo, Kaitano Tembo, Mzwandile Maoche, Glen Maseko, Tadiwa Ngirazi, Kholwani Moyo, Lawrence Mutakiwa, Dyhandra Mackay.
Injury list: Paul Chade, Ziyanda Khupe, Hardlife Masunda.
FORWARDS: Vuyiswa Mpofu, Beglad Nekati, Biton Longwe, Blessed Ncube, Mandisa Masuku, Irvine Nduwa, Dino Mhlanga, Tanaka Chisuwo, Patrick Macklin, Jason Mackay, Mayibongwe Ncube, Naidel Ncube, Isheunesu Chinganga, Keith Nyathi, Daniel Nyathi, Sean Ncube, Innocent Ncube, Anthony Kalubi, Tanaka Ndiraire, Nqobani Lintini.
Injury list: Tapiwa Muberekwa, Sovereign Mwanyenya.
Technical team: Nelson Madida (head coach), Victor Chiwara (assistant coach), Francis Nakamu (forwards assistant), Ntando Ndlovu (backs assistant), Melford Matarirano (manager). — @brandon_malvin
derick.khumalo