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Tinashe Kusema
THE relationship between Zimbabwe and Zambia in rugby runs deep, especially when it comes to the women’s game.
Zambia women’s senior national team played their first international match against Zimbabwe on September 22, 2007, and walked away 28-0 victors.
The two teams met again in 2019 twice and Zambia won both matches claiming the Victoria Cup.
To date, the two teams have played eight games, with Zambia claiming just three victories and losing five.
However, it is the last meeting between these two teams in 2021, which is still a bitter pill to swallow for Lady Sables skipper Chiwoniso Mabika.
Mabika barely lasted six minutes of that encounter, as a crude tackle saw her stretched off concussed and she could only watch from the stands, as Zimbabwe lost 31-22 at Harare Sports Club.
“The last game I played against Zambia, I got a big tackle, probably five minutes into the game and I was taken out with a concussion,” said Mabika.
“This upcoming game is something I have been looking forward to for some time and the hope is that I will be able to contribute a lot more than I did the last time.
“A lot is riding on this game as we have the upper hand.
“I also play sevens rugby and saw them play last year. They have improved a lot,” she said.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are expected to headline the ongoing Mwana Group International Schools Rugby Festival when the two sides meet at Under-20 and the men’s and women’s levels this weekend.
While most eyes are certain to be fixed on the senior men and Under-20 clashes, the women’s game is not one to miss.
Zimbabwe currently has the upper hand on Zambia at the Under-20 and senior men’s levels with the Junior Sables two-time African champions.
Shaun De Souza’s boys relinquished their Barthes Trophy title when they went down 28-13 to Kenya this past weekend and the Junior Sables will be hoping to atone for that with a big performance.
At the senior men’s level, the Zimbabwe and Zambia clash is set to be interim coach Piet Benade’s first official Test, and he will be hoping to use this match as preparation for the Africa Cup.
The two sides have also met seven times with Zimbabwe winning six and losing just one of those encounters.
So, the Lady Sables have a lot more to prove.
The Lady Sables have been training in batches on the sidelines of the Mwana Group International Schools Festival and assembled as a full unit for the first time on Wednesday.
Lady Sables’ coach Lissy Masarirevu has promoted 13 Under-20 players into her squad, handing the responsibility to blood them in, to Mabika and some of the senior players.
For Mabika, the exercise has been rather enjoyable as they have co-opted a budding system in which two or three rookies are attached to every senior player.
“We are very excited to get this opportunity to play this Test match against Zambia; it’s been roughly two years without any action and everyone can’t wait to get back on the park and play rugby,” said Mabika.
“We have been in camp for a week or two, and you can see how excited everyone is by the effort they are put-ting into training.
“The team is very young and we have been working effortlessly to help some of the younger players in the squad.
“Every senior player has been assigned one or two junior players who they will help with training, get to know a little better, and blood into the system. “You will see we are moving around in groups of two or three and the exercise seems to be working,” she said.
Zimbabwe Lady Sables Squad:
Jacqueline Mupudzi, Tinotenda Mugari, Rumbidzai Chigumbu, Sicelumusa Nyoni, Ruvimbo Manase, Beshious Mabute, Rutendo Morosi, Farai Musekete, Gabrielle Chawatama, Trish Moko, Tadiwanashe Chendambuya, Tanaka Mutaramutswa, Ericka Mack, Nosta Binton, Caroline Malenga, Kudzai Wasili, Mary Muziwemuno, Pauline Sianga, Rufaro Tagarira, Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo, Delight Mukomondo, Chiwoniso Mabika, Robyn Mhembere, Voice Ndou, Nokutenda Shoriwa
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