Mandenge reads riot act

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
SABLES coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge believes African rugby giants Namibia are beatable, but says he will not beg players to report for national duty when Zimbabwe get into camp for their final game of the Africa Cup next month.

The former University of Zimbabwe coach also challenged senior players to prove their worth for Zimbabwe rugby if they are loyal to the country and demonstrate that they are championship material. “We need everyone who is willing to play to put their hands up.

“But we will not beg players to come and play for their country, it’s all about having pride of place as the Sables are the flagship side of Zimbabwean rugby. We need players with national pride at heart and those are the ones I am going to deal with.

“I am so happy that the current side, those who played against Kenya and Tunisia are a united force, they showed a lot of camaraderie and there are no divisions or cliques and that is the spirit we need if we are to conquer Namibia,” said Mandenge. Last week’s game against Tunisia raised questions over the composition of Mandenge’s team especially in the forwards where flanker Njabulo Ndlovu came in as a lock, eighth-man Norman Mukondiwa was used as flanker while flanker Andrew Rose started as eighth-man with Fortunate Chipendu relegated to the bench.