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Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE rugby coach Cyprian Mandenge has gone for experience in trimming his Sables squad for their Africa Cup opener against Kenya at Prince Edward School on Saturday.
Mandenge had earlier named a 35-member squad last week but trimmed his side to 26 yesterday.
The coach opted to go for seasoned players as he looks to get off to a winning start in the Africa Cup campaign.
This meant that the likes of Malvern Maparura, Daniel Capsopolous, Andrea Banda, Mclean Muhambi, Kudakwashe Chisepo, and David Makanda were dropped.
Mandenge said it was tough to make the final decision because the players showed a lot of enthusiasm during the training camp but he is confident that those who have been picked will do well.
“We made a very good decision and all the guys that were in camp were hungry for the game and tried to fight for jerseys. It was not easy to come up with the perfect 26 but we did it and we are sure that this is a very excellent squad.
“We want to tell the players who did not make it into the final squad that they are still part of the Sables and we still have to play Tunisia later so they can make it for our next team.
“I believe that we have got the guys who will match the Kenyans and that is why I did not care that they announced their team before us, I do not really care.
“I do what I feel is the best for our side and I am happy that all the selected players know what exactly is expected of them,” said Mandenge.
While some of the local players could not make the cut one of the home-grown talent to have made it — Old Hararians flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya — was happy to be named vice-captain and cherish the moment for a long time.
“Finally I made it, I am very happy it was not easy the competition was high because everyone was fighting for the place,” said Makwanya.
South African based Biselele Tshamala is also expecting to feature for the Sables.
Tshamala is one of the players who has made his presence felt in both the Zimbabwe Cheetahs and Sables said it was good to make it into the final team.
The loose forward is a player who can play in three different positions and he said although he would be facing Kenya for the first time, it would not present any problems for him.
Tshamala believes with the hard work they have put in training they will not go wrong at Prince Edward on Saturday.
The 23-year old is having a great season, which has seen him bagging a number of individual accolades at the Varsity Rugby Football Club in Durban, South Africa.
“I am not scared of Kenya. It is great to be back in the national set up after a year of absence and meet up with the guys again, I have not been here for a while and I am looking forward to the challenge in the weekend match.
“I have just come back from Durban were we have gone half way of the season I am a captain there and it has been great for me although we have also lost some of the games we have played,” said Tshamala.
Zimbabwe Squad:
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira (captain), Tatenda Murwira, Farai Mudariki, Pieter Joubert, Lawrence Clemenson, Royal Mwale, Kudzai Muzorewa, Sanele Sibanda, Biselele Tshamala, Tadiwa Parirenyatwa, Andrew Rose, Fortune Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Shingai Mpofu.
Backs: Charles Jiji, Taddy Whata, Tichafara Makwanya (vice-captain) , Lenience Tambwera, Boyd Rouse, Riaan O’Neil, Stephan Hunduza, Gardner Nechironga, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tangai Nemadire, Cleopas Makotose, Antipas Kamkwido.
Online Reporter