Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HILTON MUDARIKI has heaped praise on neighbours Zambia after yet another enthralling chapter in rugby’s version of “Battle of the Zambezi.”
Zimbabwe and Zambia met in back-to-back ties in Harare and Bulawayo, with the Sables winning both encounters.
While they were not fluid, the Sables still managed to get the job done, winning 43-31 at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange Grounds and edging the visitors 17-7 at Hartsfield seven days later.
Sables skipper Mudariki has acknowledged the Copper Eagles’ vast improvement and believes both teams came out of the latest chapter in their rivalry better.
“Zambia have improved significantly over the past few years.
“You can see the structure in their play, and their confidence is right up there.
“They were well-organised and very physical.
“And they have developed into a side that can challenge us consistently,” he said.
Of the two matches, the Hartsfield encounter was the more eye-opening as the Sables were made to work harder for their win.
Offensively, the Sables were found wanting as Zambia managed to shut them out for an entire half after which Zimbabwe only managed to walk away with the win courtesy of tries by Godfrey Magaramombe, Liam Larkin and Kudzai Mashawi.
The kicking was again suspect, with David Hayes struggling on his second match in a Sables jersey.
After he was taken off, fullback Tapiwa Mafura stepped up to convert Magaramombe’s try.
However, Mudariki is still a relieved man as his Sables team managed to eke out the all-important win.
“We are definitely pleased to come away with the win,” he said.
“Zambia are always a tough opponent, and they made us work for every moment, so getting the result is something we are happy with.
“After reviewing the footage from the game, there are positives in terms of our intent and phases of control, but also areas where we lacked consistency.
“We had good passages of play, but we know we can be more clinical.
Peter Tanyanyiwa