adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Under-18 rugby coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa says Kyle College flyhalf Campbell Nyakudya reminds him of former Sables great Victor Olonga.
Nyakudya is part of the national schools squad that was named on Saturday afternoon following national trials at St John’s College and they went on to have their first training session at St George’s College on Sunday.
Murambiwa feels he would have to field Nyakudya at scrum-half where he believes he can be equally good when the side travels to South Africa for the Craven Week at the end of July for the week-long event.
“He is just one dynamic player and the way he plays, the way he makes his long passes makes him a true flyhalf but the problem we have is that schools have been struggling to raise or mould players into good scrummies so we have had to move him to number nine,” said Murambiwa.
Nyakudya is one of the players in the side who have played at the South African festivals as he was part of the Under-17 team at the Grant Khomo Under-16 last year and it is this experience Murambiwa feels will add value to his side.
The former Sables coach yesterday said his main target was to make sure they come out with a positive result against Namibia who have given Zimbabwe headaches both in the senior and junior national teams over the years.
Traditionally, Zimbabwe and Namibia play each other on the final day of the festival, using the game as one of the few junior Tests school players have a privilege of playing.
“This year there is no excuse, we have to reclaim our dominance over Namibia at this age-grade. It is not only one of my main objectives but also a directive from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union president John Falkenberg.”
But does Murambiwa have the boys who can do the job?
There are only three players that made last year’s Under-18 side and these are Stephen Bhasera, Tinashe Gonese and Tawanda Ngosi.
“It is going to be very difficult to equal last year’s side because most of the players we have this year were not part of last year’s side, but I am happy that some of them, including Nyakudya, have played at a similar level.
“Some have been part of the Under-17 side while some played at Under-14 level and this sort of continuity gives us a better level of experience and St George’s fly-half Angus Bruce is another talented player.
“But we can not only talk of talent but we cannot run away from size which is an important aspect of the game because we need the weight especially upfront, for ball security, as we have to utilise 90 percent plus of every little ball we get and that has won us many matches before.
Squads
Under 18: Justin Mendelsohn (CBC), Lebogang Ngwenya (SGC), Stephen Bhasera (Falcon), Godwin Mangenji (PE), Elijah Snyman (SJC), Tinashe Gonese (Hillcrest), Cole Bond (SJC), Daniel Nyamugama (SGC), Campbell Nyakudya (Kyle), Angus Bruce (SGC), Brian Mhuriyengwe (Falcon), Matt Ushewokunze (Falcon), Tapiwa Mazorodze (SGC), Tarisai Mapfumo (SGC), Sean Snyder (Falcon).
Replacements: Brian Mutanga (Falcon), Kumbirai Ndaba (PE), Bradley Crause (SJC), Geof Tanatswa (PE), Ngoni Zinyama (SJC), Dean McRoberts (PH), Tawanda Ngosi (MCC).
Non Travelling: Simbarashe Muza (Heritage), Connor Pritchard (Falcon), Josh Worsley (Falcon),
Chemist Manduku (ER).
Under-17: Garnet Sam, Cameron Harrison (SJC), Tinashe Chaza (Allan Wilson), Daniel Hutchings Cuan Zederburg (Peterhouse), Stuart Dodington (Falcon), Brighton Chinyanya (Vainona), Brent Michelson (Falcon), Connor McMilan Travis Landing, Rodney Sachiti (Peterhouse), Benjamin Meredith (Falcon), Rufaro Mpisaunga (SJC), Nqobisile Ncube (PE), Walter Huchu (Peterhouse), Ngoni Moyo (SGC), Ray Mhute (Falcon), Tinashe Murevi, Davis Murwendo (PE), Sean Himlers (Falcon), Tinotenda Savanhu (PE), Matthew McNabb (Falcon), Keith Bruce (Peterhouse), Hugh Meikle (SGC), Tinashe Chibondo (PE), Gerry Jaravaza (Hellenic), Benedict Makwarimba (SGC), Lovejoy Mapfumo (PE), Adrian Kok (Peterhouse), Vaughn du Plessis (Hellnic).
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