Andrew
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
BY his own admission, Sean De Souza’s ascension to the helm of the Young Sables hierarchy has not been easy.
Having spent many years in managerial purgatory, his eventual appointment as head coach coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic that brought local rugby and global sport to a halt.
However, De Souza has tried to make the best out of the situation.
“I remain very honoured and humbled by the appointment.
“I have been manager for a while now, and as a Level Three coach, you are always anxious to get yourself within the coaching set-up,” De Souza said.
“I was fortunate, back in 2020, to be given the opportunity to coach the Zimbabwe Sevens Under-18 team, and we came second to South Africa at the Capricom Namibia Sevens.
“To now get the opportunity to coach the Young Sables is definitely a step up and I feel very honoured.”
Following his appointment, De Souza sought to widen his player base, but that has been made difficult by the pandemic.
“It’s been a tough journey, through Covid-19, but we had an open window through which we called in players that we had identified across the country.
“That time, we still had guys still at home, before they left college and stuff, and used that opportunity to have a look at them.
“The process was quite hectic, as we had a lot of players to look at and a lot of considerations to make.
“We had an open call for everyone we might have overlooked to come in for trials, and I would like to think that we have come up with the best possible squad,” he said.
He has since trimmed his 2020/2021 Young Sables squad from an initial group of over 120 to 60.
The number will be further cut to 30 once they go into camp.
Zimbabwe begin their 2021 season with two tricky home and away fixtures against Zambia and Namibia.
They start off with an away trip to Zambia on May 29, after which the reverse fixture will be played at home on June 5.
The Young Sables will then play Bathes Trophy-bound Namibia away on June 16 before they host the return leg three days later.
Without giving away too much, De Souza has identified the June 5 game against Zambia as the all-important fixture.
“Zambia will be interesting.
“They have been playing all year and we have not had any rugby in over a year, so our first match-up will definitely be an interesting encounter.
“We are trying to find ways of getting ourselves conditioned, mentally prepared for that first game and will turn every stone to get us ready. “The return fixture (June 5) is, however, the all-important game.
“A reflection of the work we will have put in from this point onwards will be on display in that game.
“We will have had the opportunity to travel, get some game time and given the team time to bond and gel.
“Most importantly, it will be the first home game or first rugby game here in over a year.
“The players will definitely be excited, and that game will mean a lot to the rugby community just to see us play,” he said.
Namibia, on the other hand, are a different proposition altogether.
De Souza added: “Namibia, our foe, are going to the Bathes Trophy, and are ranked in the top four.
“There is a high possibility that they will win the Bathes Trophy and move on to the Bathes Cup, so it will be interesting to see how we fare against them.
“We have had tough encounters with them across all age-groups and our match-ups against them now will be a good indicator for what the future holds for Zimbabwe rugby.
“If we can stand and hold our own in those fixtures, then it gives us the confidence going forward.”
Under-20 Squad
Forwards:
Tomuvonga Msasanure , Runyararo Mukangure , Scotty Patson, Arthur Mambanga, Gealan Jaricha, Happias Zhou Veshal Jasi, Marlon Guwuriro, Declan Ralphs, Tawanda Banda, Lawrence Old, Takunda Makiwa, Simbarashe Siraha Panashe Matapure, Tanaka GondoMukandapi , Denzel Dhlamini, Solomon Zawe , Aaron Juma, Andrew Rinomhota Tadiwanashe Kainga, Elvis Muroiwa, Gary Kagande Nicholas Chipanje, Jason Makwabarara
Foreign-based players pending confirmation.
USA — Craig Snyder
South Africa — Daniel Johnson, Graham Hoal, Charles Gamhiwa, Lance Annandale, Farai Madzima
Backs
Carlos Matematema, Tinomukudza Chipfumbu, Thulani Sithole, Takudzwa Musingwini, Stephen Terera,
Benjamin Pattenden, Carl Kawodza, Ryan Mutandwa, Crispen Mashingaidze, Rukudzo Ndoro, Brooklyn Chikaka, Dylan Grant, Brandan Mukundu, Paul Chadi, Liberty Sibanda, Tariro Tapfuma, Kingstone Zinyama, David Yosa, Krishna Kwenda, Brendan Mason, Cletos Sunduza, Kudakwashe Makoni, Simbarashe Kanyangarara
Foreign-based players pending confirmation.
France — Thabani Maguranyanga
South Africa — Munashe Chaitezvi, Tavonga Ablant, Tawanda Matipano, Ethan Wilson, Tanaka Ndabambi, Tadiwa Murewa.
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