Chivandire in race for ZRU job

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
BRIGHTON Chivandire’s name has once again popped up among those being targeted by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union to take over from Liam Middleton as director of rugby.
Middleton resigned last month after he landed the Canada Sevens coaching job.

Chivandire is one of the two most qualified rugby coaches in Africa and, with Kenyan Paul Wadera, they hold the International Rugby Board Level III coaching certificate having graduated four years ago.

In the just-ended Sables World Cup campaign, Chivandire was roped into the national XVs side as team manager after the resignation of Losson Mtongwiza.

Then, Chivandire was tipped to take over from coach Brandon Dawson — whose term also came to an end at the end of the World Cup qualifiers.
But the resignation of Middleton has presented another opening for the former Sables coach.

The former Sables coach is currently in South Africa on rugby business together with ZRU executive vice-president Colleen de Jong.

Middleton had been expected to travel with the vice-president.

“With his qualifications there is no doubt that the ZRU would be interested in him, he has been involved with the game almost at all levels from playing, coaching, managing and he is also an IRB accredited educator.

“So there is no reason really why the ZRU should get someone from abroad, after all Bright has a deep understanding of conditions, relations and knows the politics of Zimbabwean rugby so he would settle easily in the set-up,” said the source.

Chivandire has been involved at all levels of the game having played at the highest level.

The ZRU are expected to hold interviews soon.