Byo rugby teams ready for Botswana challenge

Fungai Muderere
THE Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Footballaï¿½ï¿½s men and women teams will on Saturday play Botswanaaï¿½ï¿½s Northern outfits in an invitational contest meant to celebrate Francistownaï¿½ï¿½s 120th anniversary.

aï¿½?We will be taking our teams to Botswana and we are very much grateful for the invitation. We will be going to Botswana to compete and to make Zimbabwe proud,aï¿½? said Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football board vice-chairman Thulani Tabulawa.

Zimbabweaï¿½ï¿½s representatives have been going through their paces at Hartsfield Rugby Ground for the past three weeks.

The players are from five local clubs Old Miltonians, Bulldogs, Matabeleland Warriors, ZRP Support and Highlanders.

aï¿½?We have had an exciting crop of players and we look forward to giving Botswana a good run for their money. We hope the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) will clear us to travel to Botswana but that should not be an issue as we have been invited to play in that country before,aï¿½? said Tabulawa.

The Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football teams will leave Bulawayo for Botswana on Friday.

Themba Phiri is the teamsaï¿½ï¿½ manager.

. Menaï¿½ï¿½s Team
Mandisa Masuku (Old Miltonians), Sandile Luphuwana (Warriors), Kudzi Mudzekenyedzi (Warriors), Essence (Old Miltonians), Rudi Maredicks (Old Miltonians), Irvine Nduwa (Warriors), Mike Jalimu (Old Miltonians), Zenzele Ncube (Highlanders), Reford Ndlovu (Highlanders), Elisha Rutanga (ZRP Support), Masimba Musiyapinda (Highlanders), Talent Van (Warriors), Tichaona Musariri (Warriors), Nelson Madida (Warriors), Tinotenda Gomiwa (Warriors), Trust Sibindi (Highlanders), Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu (Highlanders), Lloyd Machanjayire (Warriors), Tarisai Mugariri (Warriors), Tafadzwa George Hlatshwayo (Bulldogs), Thamsanqa Ndlovu (Old Miltonians), Hardlife Masunda (Warriors), Walter Gode (Warriors), Emmanuel Mazikana (Old Miltonians), Andrea Banda (Old Miltonians), Valentine Mufudzo (ZRP Support), Takudzwa Gamanya (Warriors), Japhet Ndebele (Warriors), Eric Mabikwa (Bulldogs), Thabani Sakupwanya (Old Miltonians)

Coach : Zivanai Dzinomurumbi

Ass Coach: Ruben Kumpasa

Manager: Themba Phiri