admincoach, indicated that he will not be available for the Young Sables campaign in the Junior Africa Cup that kicks off on Saturday at Prince Edward.
Marvin Chirume is currently assisting coach Brighton Chivandire in the preparations.
“It is a big advantage working with experienced and exposed personnel because Blessing (Chiutare) has been in the Under-21 technical team and having him in our set-up is a huge plus for us,” said Chivandire.
At the same time Kershaw is set to be replaced by newly-appointed Zimbabwe Rugby Union national development and training manager Zilwele Khumalo who started work in his new role yesterday.
But according to ZRU acting general manager, Sifiso Made, Khumalo will not only be the head of technical for the Young Sables but will also take charge of all the national teams by virtue of him being the national training manager.
“It is true that Rick will be leaving the Under-20 franchise and will be replaced by Zee (Khumalo) who takes over and the fact that he is the national training and development manager suits with the same role (head technical). He will be working on all the technical programmes with the national teams including the Sables in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in 2015, the Sevens sides (Cheetahs and women) and the Young Sables,” said Made.
Zimbabwe have won the past three editions of the Junior Africa Cup, going on to represent the continent at the Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament and have beaten bitter rivals Namibia on all three occasions in the final.
The Young Sables will take on Kenya in their first game of the tournament at Prince Edward School on Saturday in what will also be the main fixture of the day with kick-off set for 4pm.
Madagascar will get the tournament underway against Morocco at 11.30 am before former champions Namibia entertain Tunisia while Uganda play Zambia at 2.30pm before Zimbabwe take to the field.
Zimbabwe Squad
Forwards: Alva Senderayi, Robin Bhebhe, Houghton Chachona, Lazzie Chisaya, Tawanda Chowe, Dexter Ganga, Matthew Lawson, Kudakwashe Makuvire, Tariro Mashongamhende, Clive Musasiwa, Bruce Mwomzora, Thabani Ndaba, Daniel Rorke, Leroy Sibanda, Joshua Smallbones, Rees Surtees, Tapiwa Tsomondo
Backs: Richard Chigumba, Lance Chikodzi, Sean Dlamini, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Kudzai Mashawi, Luke Masasire, Bastien Mendelson, Tarisai Musakanda, Mkululi Ndhlela, Robert Sargeant, Michael Shoniwa, Michael Steel, Ian Surtees, Tinashe Toriro, Morgan Vangue.
The Young Sables training squad played a friendly against Metro Rugby League side Edwardians on Saturday where they posted a 28-7 win over the Old Hararians second string side.
However, Chivandire feels the winning result was not their focus.
“We were definitely checking combinations so that we get the best foot forward and give the boys a bit of game time ahead of the tournament and I am happy with what I saw in the boys but we will only name the final squad on Thursday.
“I was largely impressed with the high number of players that turned up for the Under-19 open trials at Sports Club a few weeks ago and it has both been like this before save for the fact that some Peterhouse and St Johns College boys were not available.
“A lot of top quality players came out and we can’t hide away from the fact that we would want to win the tournament for the fourth straight time and that is our main aim going into these games.
“If we have won it twice away, I see no reason why we can we not do the same on home soil,” said the former Sables coach.
Online Reporter
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