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SABLES coach Piet Benade has brought in the trio of Blythe Mavesere, Victor Mapunga and Thabani Maguranyanga in an attempt to reinforce his attack for Zimbabwe’s crunch Africa Cup rugby tie against Uganda later this month.
The trio inclusion was the major talking point after the Zimbabwe Rugby Union announced an enlarged 34-member squad for the trip to Uganda. The duo of Hilton Mudariki and Kudzai Mashawi are expected to lead the Sables in the battle against the East Africans after Benade named them co-captains for the July 20 clash in Kampala.
Forward Aiden Burnett is expected to deputise the duo as he has been named vice-captain.
The squad includes a mixture of both experience and youth with Benade confident that the team has the talent and depth to challenge for the title.
“We are excited to be heading to Uganda for the Rugby Africa Cup,” said Benade.
“We have selected a strong squad that is capable of winning the tournament. We know it will be a tough challenge but we are confident that we can cause an upset,” he said. Mapunga, who plies his trade with French club Nuits-Sait-Georges, trooped into camp when the Sables formally re-grouped in the capital on July 1.
“It’s been a while since I have been in Sables’ colours and I am happy to be called in and play with the boys,” said Mapunga.
“The boys have been putting in all the hard work and it was a bit tough for me, at first, but it is going on well now and I am happy.
“As the game draws closer, the boys are getting more serious and you can feel the zeal to play.
“We see the other teams getting ready and so we need to get up to speed as well,” he said.
Maguranyanga, on the other hand, is currently in Mauritius after getting his Zimbabwe Cheetahs’ long-awaited debut at the Africa Cup first-leg tournament last weekend.
Sables squad:
Forwards: Aiden Burnett (Vice Captain), Blythe Mavesere, Bornwell Gwinji, Brian Makamure, Brian Nyaude, Bryan Chiang, Cleopas Kundiona, David Makamba, Hilton Kamanda, Huntley Masterson, Jeff Makoni, Keegan Joubert, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, Liam Larkan, Neil Mawere, Simba Mandioma, Simba Siraha, Tadiwa Gwashu, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Victor Ma-punga, Zvikomborero Chimoto,
Backs: Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Carlos Matematema, Darell Makwasha, Dion Khumalo, Gamu Nekati, Godfrey Magara-mombe, Hilton Mudariki (Captain), Ian Prior, Kudzi Mashawi (Co-Captain), Takudzwa Musingwini, Tapiwa Mafura, Thabani Maguranyanga, Trevor Gurwe
Online Reporter