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Sports Reporter
SABLES coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge says he will use the Hong Kong Cup of Nations rugby tournament as a launch pad for their 2019 World Cup campaign. Mandenge has named an extended squad that features some of the Young Sables from the Junior World Trophy squad who include eighth-man Aiden Burnett, Shingi Katsvere and Stephen Bhasera.
“Some are still in school but we want the best and we also need to nurture them, making sure we build a base for our 2019 World Cup qualifiers so by the end of the next year we must have a picture of how our squad will be looking like,” said Mandenge.
“If we do well in Hong Kong it means we will have more games to play because we would have justified our case to get invited to more international tournaments and this translates to more game time for us in the build-up to the World Cup.
“This is a very important tournament for us on two fronts, the first being that we are using it as our first step in preparing for the 2019 World Cup qualifier campaign, and the second being that it’s a chance for us to impress and get more game time.”
The Hong Kong Cup of Nations tournament is expected to run for nine days, starting on November 13 and Zimbabwe will face the challenge of Portugal, Hong Kong and Russia.
Sables extended squad:
Denford Mutamangira, Tatenda Murwira, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Tichafara Makwanya, Stephan Hunduza, Morgan Vangue, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Takudzwa Chieza, Shingi Katsvere, Matoramusha, Aiden Burnett, Tinotenda, Mendelson, Boyd Rouse, Charles Jiji, Brain Makamure, Gavin Nyawata, Kingsley Lang, Lucky Sithole, Sean Chigumbura, Fortune Chipendu, Lenience Tambwera, McLean Muhambi, Tatenda Karuru, Stephen Bhasera, Royal Mwale, Kudzai Zhou, Dante Mama, Hilton Mudariki, Farai Mudariki, Njabulo Ndlovu, Martin Wolfenden, Clemenson Lawrence, Simba Bwanya, Lambert, Biselele Tshamala, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Michale Passaportis, Graeme Lawler, Andrew Rose, Manasa Sita, Riaan O’Neal, Lungile Tshuma, Garth Ziegler, Newton Tanyanyiwa, Alva Senderayi, Justin Zietsman, Witness Mandizha, Zakeyo.
Online Reporter