adminfinally managed to get a win where it matters the most as they lifted the cup in front of their home crowd on Saturday.
“As for me it’s a great time to silence all my ‘haters’ and critics,” said Sibanda
By half time the hosts were leading 16-0 and flyhalf Lenience Tambwera added only two penalty goals in the second half as the Warriors crept back into the game.
Tambwera got most of the points for Sports Club as he managed 17 points off his boot with three first half penalties and a conversion before adding two more penalties in the early stages of the second half.
The only other Sportivo try came from winger Simbarashe Kabatebate’s 31st minute touch down.
But the big game did not live up to expectations.
It was not really a disappointing game but, maybe, due to pressure, there were a lot of handling errors and poor basic play in the first half.
Flanker Biselele Tshamala was inspirational for the Warriors in the second half.
“I think the standard could have been better judging by the number of mistakes and handling errors by both sides,” said Sibanda.
“The teams were both very cautious in the first half but the game opened up a bit in the second half.
“What caused these handling errors on our side is we were trying so hard not make any mistakes, as well as the pressure from our supporters who wanted nothing short of a victory.
“At the same time, in my mind, I hoped they would settle down quickly especially after Mat Warriors almost scored in the first minute of play.”
The visitors were indebted to former Young Sables eighthman Tsamala for their comeback as he was involved in all the points the Warriors scored both in open play and on kicks.
Tight head prop Tapiwa Mangezi scored seven minutes into the second half to reduce the arrears and Tshamala took over from where he had left in the semi-final to continue with the kicks.
“It happens when you have a healthy lead, you tend to relax and the opposition capitalise.
“Remember in the game against Old Hararians, we scored all our points in the first half,” said Sibanda
Warriors’ coach Reuben Kumpasa was not impressed with his side’s display.
“If we were consistent right from the first whistle we could have won the game but we made too many mistake in the first half, we were always on the back foot.
“We only started playing in the second half, which was too late,” said Kumpasa.
With the Sables’ technical trio of coach Brandon Dawson, assistant Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge and manager Losson Mtongwiza watching, several players wanted to impress.
The Zimbabwe XV side started preparations for the Namibia and the Dubai invitational tournaments with camp yesterday in Harare and Bulawayo and most of the players here were on Saturday named in the initial 40-man squad.
Only three players — Sports Club centre Cleopas Makotose, veteran Old Hararians flanker/hooker Prayer Chitenderu and England-based scrumhalf Charles Jiji — have been dropped from the side that won the Africa Cup.
“The reason we have dropped them is because they have not played rugby since the return from the Africa Cup with Makotose having suffered an injury on national duty but this does not mean the door is closed.
“If Makotose recovers and impresses on the local Sevens Series then there is no reason why we can not include him in the squad.
“But we want to leave no stone unturned and we are starting our preparations tonight (last night).
“We are also looking at about 15 other foreign-based players who are not on this list but first we have to get medical and performance reports from their respective clubs before considering them.
“And finances permitting (to fly them home), they will also get tested under the same conditions as the locally based players so that we increase competition in camp,” said the former Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice-president.
Sables training squad
Tatenda Karuru, Piet Joubert, Constantine Dinha, Jan Ferreira, Jacques Leitao, Norman Mukondiwa, Scotty Jones, Tichafara Makwanya, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga , Tangai Nemandire, Brian Makamure, Jakov Jakov, Fortune Chipendu, T.J. Chifokoyo, Lenience Tambwera, Raymond De Jong, Tolerance Zishe, Chirimuuta, Phil Machisa, Steve Hunduza, Ray Dzvairo, Biselele, Royal Mwale, Lucky Sithole, Tinashe Bopoto, Sean Chigumbura, Rory Jackson, Endo, Justin Coles, Graham Kaulback, Jonathan McWade, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, James Forrester, Shayne Makombe, Wes Mbanje Gavin Nyawata, Zvikomborero Murangari, Danny Robertson.
leeroy