Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TAPIWA MAFURA has some rather sage advice for his Sables teammates as the countdown to next month’s Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda continues.
Zimbabwe head into this year’s edition of the continental tournament as defending champions.
Hosts Uganda, Morocco, Kenya and Senegal are well aware of the threat posed by the Sables while regional giants Namibia are probably still smarting from their 10-32 defeat, a rare loss to their Southern African rivals, last year.
The Sables, for their part, are likely to head into the tournament with a target on their backs as a result.
And no one is better placed to speak on the pressures currently facing the Sables camp than Mafura.
The Zimbabwe fullback was the stand-out performer in Uganda last year, winning over opposition fans with his poise, control of the game and darting runs.
“I don’t think the target on our backs, as defending champions, should put pressure on our performances,” said Mafura.
“We are currently focused on ourselves and everybody should just do their jobs.
“If everyone just focuses on their role and the job that they need to do, everything else will take care of itself,” he said.
Mafura is one of five late arrivals back into camp as the South Africa-based fullback was in Mauritius last week with the Zimbabwe Sevens’ team.
Also joining him on that list is the quartet of Edward Sigauke, Trevor Gurwe, Tinotenda “Blithe” Maversere and Dion Khumalo, who were also part of the Cheetahs ensemble.
The Cheetahs finished third at the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup behind eventual winners South Africa and runners-up Madagascar.
While many believe the bronze medal finish was a fair result, given that the team only assembled in the 11th hour and were playing together for the first time, Mafura, just like coach Ricky Chirengende, believes Zimbabwe should and could have done better.
“I don’t think third place was fair and acceptable for us,” he said.
‘I think we were the best team in the tournament . . . we were just unlucky in the draw and in that semi-final against South Africa.
“We were our own worst enemies and could have done better in terms of good decision-making.
“A couple calls that should have gone our way didn’t.
“These factors could have easily changed the complexion of the game and it would have been us in that final against Madagascar,” he said.
After Cheetahs’ duties, he is back for duties with the flagship Sables.
“The preparations have been good so far, I think we are around 90-95 percent ready.
“I have been very impressed with the way that the coaches and the players have been preparing themselves, maybe one or two things left for us to put in place.
“I managed to watch a couple of games the Sables played and the team looks impressive,” he said.
Mafura did not take part in the Sables’ Zambezi Series against Zambia and Botswana.
Zimbabwe thrashed Zambia and Botswana in flattering fashion twice, beating the Zambians 70-15 and 25-19 with the 80-12 thumping of Botswana sandwiched between the cross-Zambezi battles.
Mafura missed those games as he was in South Africa with the Lions where they made it as far as the Currie Cup final.
Sadly, the 29-year-old could not lift the trophy and missed out on history by becoming the first player to win the Currie with three different clubs after having already won it with the Pumas and the Cheetahs.
He maintains that his club season was good nonetheless.
“The season with the Lions was very good, I enjoyed my first year and making the Currie Cup final was a huge highlight.
“We made the final and almost won it but lost it at the end.
“I am looking forward to giving it another go next season, playing more games and doing better.
“For now, I am happy, I am fit and, most importantly, don’t have any injury worries,” he said.
