adminNgoni Dapira
MUTARE-BORN and bred rugby stalwart, Ngoni Chibuwe’s light has finally shone on him after recently scoring double firsts in his budding rugby career.
The 21-year-old versatile utility line-back player who joined the junior Sharks Academy in South Africa last year made his debut appearance last weekend for the senior Sharks Sevens side.
His first match was against the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit last Friday and the annual South African Rugby Union Interprovincial Sevens tournament last Saturday.
This is the same club that Zimbabwean-born Springboks star, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira plays for, only that Mtawarira plays in the 15s league.
Today (Friday) after being called-up for camp in the senior Sables squad competing in the Hong Kong Cup of Nations tournament, Chibuwe, is expected to achieve his first cap for the senior national side.
Chibuwe, who hails from the high-density suburb of Dangamvura, has been slowly making inroads in the rugby domain since high school at Mutare Boys’ High School and Hillcrest College where his skills were sharpened often being selected in the junior provincial and national team.
He joined the renowned Sharks Academy in Durban after he hogged the limelight during a trial stint in South Africa in August 2014.
He had, however, been identified and given the invite for the South African trials during the then Cottco Schools Rugby festival in Harare in 2013 after an impressive performance at the tournament.
Chibuwe’s drafting into the senior national side was, however, also not an overnight decision.
It followed his notable form earlier on this year in June when he was drafted into the Zimbabwe developmental side, Goshawks, for the Africa Cup Group 1C third tier tournament held in Zambia.
In an interview with him on Monday using Whatsapp before he left South Africa for Hong Kong, the down to earth Chibuwe thanked God for all his achievements.
“All glory to God for all my achievements. Right now I am about to leave for Hong Kong, but all I can say is that it is a dream come true to be representing my nation in Hong Kong and playing for the Sevens side of one of the biggest rugby clubs in South Africa. This is the same club that Beast (Tendai Mtawarira) plays for but he is in the 15s side,” said Chibuwe.
On the other hand, the Hong Kong Cup of Nations tournament kicks off today (Friday) and the Cyprian Mandenge-led squad faces the hosts.
The tournament which is a new World Rugby-sanctioned competition comprises of the hosts, Portugal, Russia and Zimbabwe.
After the Hong Kong match, the Sables will take on Russia and Portugal next week Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
Mandenge took a blended squad with youth and experience, comprising of six uncapped players mostly former young Sables players.
The uncapped players are eighthman, Alva Senderayi, lock, David Kapuya, prop, Gabriel Sipapati, flyhalf, Kuziva Kazembe and centres, Chibuwe and Malvern Maparura.
However, four players including Germany-based wing, Manasah Sita, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Stephan Hunduza and Riaan O’Neil will later join the Sables squad in Hong Kong after playing for the national Sevens side, the Cheetahs, in the Rio Olympic qualifiers in South Africa that kicks-off tomorrow ending on Sunday.
It will also be interesting to see how the Sables play against Russia who beat them 23-15, in the 2015 Rugby World Cup repechage qualifiers in Siberia last year.
Russia come in as the highest ranked team at the tournament ranked 22nd in the World Rugby standings followed by Hong Kong ranked 24th, Zimbabwe on position 26 and Portugal ranked 28th.
Sables squad:
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira (captain), Tatenda Murwira, Farai Mudariki, Brian Makamure, Gabriel Sipapati, Royal Mwale, Martin Wolfenden, Andrew Rose, David Kapuya, Jan Ferreira, Nico Nyemba, Biselele Tshamala, Sanele Sibanda, Alva Senderayi.
Backs: Tichafara Makwanya (vice-captain), Gerald Sibanda, Charles Jiji, Kuziva Kazembe, Malvern Maparura, Ngonidzashe Chibuwe, Lungile Tshuma, Manasah Sita, Tafadzwa Mhende, Manasah Sita, Riaan O’Neil, Stephan Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
Online Reporter