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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FORMER Sables captain Victor Olonga is expected to be part of the Highlanders’ rugby legends set to play against Western Panthers in a friendly match set for Bulawayo’s Hartsfield Grounds tomorrow.
Olonga will play alongside Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Nyararai Sibanda, Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba and Matabeleland Rugby Football Board boss Thulani Tabulawa, among other former Bosso players.
Sibanda said they were looking forward to “rekindling memories” at tomorrow’s event.
“We’re coming together as former players after so many years and we’re looking forward to rekindling memories. Most of the guys based out of Zimbabwe are around and it’s really going to be a good family day,” Sibanda said.
Some of the former players expected to play include Arthur Mate, Orga Mathaba, Themba Phiri, Saku Ngwenya, national women’s coach George Mukorera, former national team players Slater Ndlovu and Gardner Nechironga.
Brian Ndlovu, who is based in the UK, Brian Thokoza, Brian Ncube, Botswana-based Zee Khumalo, Silomuzi Ngwenya and Thulani Ncube will feature in the legends’ team.
Panthers are organising the event being sponsored by Evolution Graphik-Worx and Unforgettable.
Busani Ncube, a Panthers official, said tomorrow’s match is aimed at honouring Highlanders’ rugby legends.
“Everything is set for our event where we are going to honour our rugby legends. Highlanders was the first black rugby club in Zimbabwe and it’s only befitting for us to honour some of the greats who passed through the institution. These are the people who laid the foundation for most of us to be able to play the sport. As Western Panthers, we have seen a lot of our legends and people, who put in a lot into the sport die without their contribution being recognised and we just want to honour them on Unity Day,” Ncube said.
Among the former rugby legends that have since passed away are Francis Muhomba and Lameck Kamsuka.
“Muhomba used to walk across Bulawayo visiting schools to teach and coach rugby while Kamsuka used to run annual tournaments targeting the grassroots. These two put in all they had to get less privileged communities playing the game,” Ncube said.
Besides Muhomba and Kamsuka, some of the people to be honoured tomorrow include William Phiri, Msilisi Ndlovu, Godfrey Sithole, Mthabisi Sibanda, Clever Chipenzi, Ngoni Chico Nyoni, Nathaniel Dubula Ndlovu and Mandlenkosi Ndlovu.
@ZililoR
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