Bullish Dawson ready

Harare Sports Club tomorrow in their second game of the Victoria Cup.
Zimbabwe played their opening game of the tournament last week with a 25-15 win over Uganda in a match that also doubled up as an Africa Cup game.
Dawson, who was not part of the side that travelled to Uganda last week, rejoined the Sables on Tuesday evening and yesterday led his charges through their paces at St John’s College.
The former Sables captain was in high spirits after their evening training session at the Borrowdale educational institution where the Sables had their final training session before the captain’s run today.
However, Dawson feels there is a huge difference between the last time the two sides met and he is confident Zimbabwe will prevail in front of their home crowd.
The last meeting between the Sables and Shujaa ended in an 18-23 defeat of the Sables at the same venue exactly a year ago.
“They are not a special side and I am very confident we are going to come out with a win on Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon because we have been on song.
“We have to continue from where we left from last week, I mean I am really proud of the way the boys played and we have to carry on from there,” said Dawson.
While Zimbabwe were winning their two matches in Kampala, the Kenya senior team and their select side were losing against Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.
Dawson believes the inclusion of the foreign-based players and the addition of players graduating from the Young Sables will bring out a competitive and different Sables side.
“We can not look at how Kenya played against Mpumalanga because that was a different Mpumalanga side from the regular one and at the same time we were winning in Uganda.
“The side has been playing well and the advantage we have is that there is a lot of talent in our side comprised of both foreign and local players, there are a number of players in the side that played Kenya last year.
“That experience has no substitute and remember last year we lost to Kenya with an entirely local side but the way our team looks this year shows a huge difference,
“Those who played against Kenya know what to expect, some local players played against Kenya twice last year and the foreign-based players will bring another dimension to our game.”
Dawson added that the Sables’ attitude, during the training sessions, has been making life enjoyable for him as a coach but said they will have to guard against complacency.
“The training sessions have been going on well, I am enjoying it and I like the way the boys have been responding during practice and they are looking good.
“We are very confident and I am sure we are going to do well.
“Yes, we know the game has been growing in Kenya but we have also had a number of positive developments here.
“We can only grow from where we are because we are very confident but we also have to guard against being complacent.”
The Kenyans were at Prince Edward School where coach Michale “Tank” Otieno took his side through their paces at the Jubilee Field.
Meanwhile, Harare Province chairman Sifiso Made said a schools’ game between the popular Churchill Bulldogs and powerhouse St John’s College will serve as the main curtain raiser to the Sables game.
“There will be three games before the Sables versus Kenya game and this will see the main-curtain raiser being played between Churchill and St John’s College.
“The other two are Challenge Cup games that will see the women and men’s teams from Old Hararians and Sports Club fighting in the annual cup,” said Made.
Zimbabwe Starting XV
Backs: Daniel Robertson, Gardner Nechironga, Cleopas Makotose, Daniel Hondo, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Tichafara Makwanya, Charles Jiji.
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Prayer Chitenderu, Brian Makamure, Schalk Ferreira, Costa Dinha, Shingi Mpofu, Njabulo Ndlovu, Norman Mukondiwa.
Substitutes: Tatenda Karuru, Fortune Chipendu, Pieter Joubert, Jacques Leitao, Thomas Nelson, Dylan Bradshow, Michael Coleman.
Coach: Brandon Dawson
Assistant: Cyprian Mandenge
Manger: Nody Kanyangarara
Physio: Farai Muguwe
Kenya Squad
Forwards: Joel Ng’ang’a, Vincent Ongera, Daniel Kiptoo,(UAP Rhinos),Dennis Abenga (SDV Transami Cheetahs), Moses Amusala (Lions), Anthony Mutai (UAP Rhinos), Michael Aung (SDV Transami Cheetahs), Martin Likami (UAP Rhinos), Kevin Umbuge (SDV Transami Cheetahs), Dennis Mwanja (Lions), David Mogere, Wilson Kopondo (UAP Rhinos)
Backs: Peter Mutai (Lions), Edwin Achayo (UAP Rhinos), Nato Simiyu (SDV Transami Cheetahs), Isaac Adimo, Victor Sudi (captain), Dennis Muhanji (UAP Rhinos),Kelvin Omiyo, Anthony Nyandigisi (SDV Transami Cheetahs), Allan Omuka (UAP Rhinos),Vincent Mose (SDV Transami Cheetahs)
Technical Team
Coach: Michael Otieno,
Assistant: Edward Kinyany
Manager: Wangila Simiyu
Physio: Chris Makachia