adminBukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
MATABELELAND Rugby Football Board (MRFB) outfit Western Panthers’ coach Francis Nakama is relishing the prospects of claiming the first silverware of the new season after his side cruised into the final of the MRFB Under-21 Cup. Panthers convincingly hammered bitter rivals Old Miltonians 36-0 at Hartsfield Grounds on Saturday to book a place in the final against the same opponent next weekend.
Nakama used a number of players from the second team but they still managed to outplay their opponents in all departments, with young star flank Howard Zuze the main attraction scoring three tries in the early stages of the match to virtually put the game beyond Old Miltonians’ reach.
“We played good rugby and I believe we are now at our level best to compete with anyone. We’re now ready for anything and we will claim our first silverware this weekend without any doubt. If the boys continue to play like this, we will even be champions at national level,” said Nakama.
The winners of the cup will play against the victors of the Harare Under-21 leg for the national title on a date yet to be announced. Matabeleland Warriors and Bulldogs will battle it out in the third-place playoff despite the Warriors claiming a resounding 64-16 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday.
The MRFB Cup was introduced early this month by the board as atonement for the Zimbo Cup that failed to kick-off at the beginning of January due to unspecified reasons.
The MRFB Under-21 Cup, which kicked off in mid-January, is a four-week mini-league tournament that features the league’s four sides, Old Miltonians, Matabeleland Warriors, Bulldogs and Western Panthers.
Online Reporter