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ZIMBABWE senior rugby team captain Hilton Mudariki has praised the unity and focus in the Sables camp, which he feels will stand them in good stead ahead of their Africa Cup showdown against Uganda at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.
Mudariki has been retained as the Sables skipper.
He will lead the senior team in their latest bid for a place at the World Cup together with co-captain Kudzai Mashawi and their deputy Aiden Burnett.
Coach Piet Benade on Monday night named a 27-man squad that will travel to the East African nation.
The Africa Cup assignment will, also serve as the first step towards securing a place in the main draw for the World Cup qualifiers.
In naming his squad, Benade sought to have a formidable blend of experienced players and promising young talent who has undergone rigorous training in Harare for the past couple of months.
The Sables also received a big boost with the arrival of key foreign-based players and the players that were on duty with the country’s sevens team, the Cheetahs.
The squad appears to be in high spirits ahead of their expected departure for Kampala tomorrow and Mudariki confirmed as much.
“Camp has been going very well as we had a couple of intense sessions,” said Mudariki.
“We had a few guys coming in and out, the Sevens guys have joined us and this has added a lot more competition and a couple more headaches for the coaches.
“The camaraderie within the squad has been awesome.
“We have been getting to know each other more, both on and off the field, and I think this is always a key thing.
“Staying together as a group has helped that and we are all so excited for the challenge that lies ahead”.
Mudariki who was captain when the Sables failed in their mission to secure a place at the 2023 World Cup in France, also acknowledged that Uganda will not be easy prey.
“We know that it’s going to be a tough one.
“We have a few more days to work at it and we now can’t wait for the show together,” he said.
Among the additions to the team is the arrival of the foreign-based quartet of Blithe Mavesere, Ian Prior, Victor Mupunga, and Edward Sigauke.
“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest,” said Prior, on his Sables’ call-up and return.
“I was last here in Zimbabwe back in 2000 and it all feels pretty surreal but very exciting to be here with the rest of the Sables.
“There is a lot of great energy in the camp and guys are pretty ambitious with what they want to achieve as a group and, you know, for the country.
“Everyone has been very welcoming and very friendly.
“There are a lot of Shona slang words I need to brush up on again, as I’m a bit rusty, but It’s all been good fun so far,” he said.
Sables Squad:
Forwards: Victor Mupunga Simba Mandioma Cleopas Kundiona David Makamba Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa Blithe Mavesere Simba Siraha Aiden Burnett (VC) Zvikomborero Chimoto Bryan Chiang Bornwell Gwinji Hilton Kamanda Tadiwa Gwashu Dylan Utete Brian Nyaude Tawanda Banda Brian Makamure
Backs: Hilton Mudariki (C) Ian Prior Edward Sigauke Kudzi Mashawi (CC) Dion Khumalo Brandon Mudzekenyedzi Tapiwa Mafura Keegan Joubert Darell Makwasha Trevor Gurwe Takudzwa Musingwini
Technical Team
Coach: Piet Benade, Assistant coach: Ricky Chirengende, Consultant: Gert Smal, Defence coach: Senna Esterhuizen, Forwards and Scrum coach: Joel Carew, Athlete Welfare Manager: Tich Makwanya,
Line-out coach: Fortune Chipendu
Assistant Forwards coach: Kevin Nqindi, Team Manager: TJ Chifokoyo,
Physiotherapist: Amanda Zisengwe
Online Reporter