adminSports Club in two eight days time.
Nyawata, who is an Old Hararians three quarter, has been included in the 28-member side that was named yesterday and includes the bulk of the players who lifted the
Sables to glory in the Africa Cup and Victoria Cup tournaments last year.
The match is being used as the first big step in preparation for the Africa Cup and Victoria Cup assignments, which the Sables are set to take part against the likes of Uganda, Kenya and Tunisia next month.
In the Tri-Nations Victoria Cup tournament that is played on a home and away basis, Zimbabwe take on Kenya and Uganda and the two teams will also play
Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup with hosts Tunisia completing the four-team tournament.
Sables coach Brendan Dawson, his assistant Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge and manager Losson Mtongwiza are aiming to maintain his unbeaten record from last year.
In 2011 the Sables won everything that was on offer in five games having beaten both Kenya ad Uganda twice and a thrashing of Madagascar in the Africa Cup Group 1B competition.
This ensured that the Sables gained promotion into the World Cup qualifying Group 1A and it is in this group that Zimbabwe hope they will not be relegated if they are to entertain chances of making it for 2015.
“I was happy with what we managed to achieve last season, which is why I reapplied for the job. I’m glad I have been given another opportunity to lead the country as the head coach.
“My primary goal will be to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup in 2015. We have the qualifiers next year and we have to make sure that we start the preparations soon,” said Dawson.
In the Goshawks backline fullback and 2011 Player-of-the-Year Daniel Robertson, scrumhalf and Backliner-of-the-Year Charles Jiji, the Sports Club duo of centres
Cleopas Makotose and Daniel Hondo, and flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya were part of the side that did duty last year.
Diminutive Scotland-based prop Denford Mutamangira, veteran flanker Prayer Chitenderu, talented Brian Makamure, Cheetahs captain Jacques Leitao, Shingi Mpofu of Sports Club and Old Georgians lock Fortune Chipendu have also been included. But Germany based utility back Gardner Nechironga, winger Kudakwashe
Chiwanza, lock Schalk Ferreira, Njabulo Ndlovu, Tatenda Karuru, flyhalf Thomas Nelson, Dylan Bradshow and Michael Coleman are some of the players that have not been drafted into the squad.
Having taken a break from the international scene since last winter, the game will be very important for Zimbabwe who are somehow behind in preparations compared to their rivals Uganda and Kenya who have so far played two games this year.
“It is important that we start playing again as a team. A team like Falcons will give our players the necessary preparation that we need going to the World Cup qualifiers.
“The team is not under any illusions on how hard this game is going to be and we are steadily training for it,” said Mtongwiza.
Goshawks Squad
Forwards: Norman Mukondiwa, Denford Mutamangira, Jonathan Goosen, Shingi Mpofu, Devon Esbach, Pieter Joubert, Jan Ferreira, Costa Dinha, Fortune Chipendu, Simba Mandioma, Takunda Chifokoyo, Brian Makamure , Tinashe Bopoto, Shingi Mpofu, Jacques Leitao
Backs: Danny Hondo, Tangai Nemadire, Danny Robertson, Tichafara Makwanya, Lloyd Machanjaire, Lenience Tambwera, Kuda Chiwanza, Paul Staak, Cleopas Makotose, Wes Mbanje, Charles Jiji, Scotty Johns, Gavin Nyawata.
Online Reporter