adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
WITH the 2015 World Cup rugby qualifiers just around the corner, the appointment of Brighton Chivandire as Sables manager could not have come at a better time for the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
Chivandire has seen it all in the game, from his playing days as an ordinary lock at Old Hararians rising to become one of the finest forwards in the country and representing the country at the senior national level with the Sables.
Perhaps the ZRU would not want to accept the fact that they appointed Chivandire into the Sables technical team either as an undercover coach or advisor to current coach Brendan Dawson but given that he is one of the most qualified coaches, this is only but an open secret.
Unlike his predecessor Losson Mtongwiza who was not technically gifted, did not have good relations with a lot of players, did not play at the highest level and was not allowed to interfere with selection, Chivandire is the complete opposite.
Only Chivandire and Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa are the highest qualified coaches in Zimbabwe as they both are holders of the International Rugby Board Level III coaching certificate.
As a Sables player, Chivandire played against the likes of Namibia, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, English Barbarians and Italy and also had a lot of experience in the English leagues where he spent a number of years.
Some of the Zimbabwe and international greats Chivandire has played with include the likes of Victor Olonga, Neil Nortje, Dave Walters and current Sables coach Dawson who at one point was his captain.
Having played in the national side for a number of years with Dawson, it is this relationship that the ZRU want to capitalise on.
After retiring from the game at the age of 33 in 2002, Chivandire pursued a career in coaching and in 2004 that he was appointed Sables coach, won his first game against Kenya (24-15), beat Uganda (17-0) before suffering an 8-68 loss to Namibia in the Africa Cup semi-final.
Chivadnire left the Sables job in 2005 and a year on was appointed Under-18 coach, took charge of the Under-19 side in 2007, won the league title with Old Georgians (then District Dragons) in 2010 and was elevated to the post of head of technical for the Under-20 side last year.
Experience with the junior sides in the Under-20 Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament, Junior Africa Cup and in the Junior World Championship also add weight to the reasons he was appointed into the Sable set-up.
“It’s good there is a strong technical team for the Sables but I will not be involved with technical issues or coaching because my job description is clear, I have read and understood it.
“Mine is team management, dealing with the players’ welfare.
“It is always an honour to serve at national team level because that is an opportunity that does not always come.
“I am looking forward to a lot of support from everyone in the rugby structures because we all have a role to play and mine is with the Sables as a manager and for everything to work, it (rugby) needs a lot of support,” said Chivandire.
Online Reporter