Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
AFTER walloping Hatcliffe 41-5 a fortnight ago, Mutare rugby outfit, Rockstars, will have a test of consistency when they engage Mabvuku at Old Georgians Sports Club tomorrow (Saturday) in Harare in a potentially exciting Division League encounter.
In their quest for a place in the elite Championship Division from the Division League, Rockstars announced their determination with that emphatic 41-5 triumph.
Rockstars are playing in the Division League as a new team after an invitation was extended to other teams outside Harare, such as Bindura from Mashonaland West and another team from Kwekwe in Midlands Province.
To their credit, Rockstars are justifying their inclusion, at least judging from their encounter against Hatcliffe, when Samuel Hazangwi, Rockstars player, was awarded man of the match.
Rockstars Academy coach, Kenneth “Salt” Mashezha, said they are ready to prove to Zimbabwe that there is competitive rugby in Manicaland.
“Being a coach, I am obviously excited about the result from our first encounter. Rugby has developed from just a contest of power and speed. Now it is about strategy and how well the team can adjust to game situations. We do have a lot to focus on since the season is still at its dawn, but the plan at the end of the day is to get the job done. The guys always show heart and grit, which is exciting. They keep it salty, and they are ready to prove to Zimbabwe that there is competitive rugby in Manicaland. Now we focus on the next win,” he said.
Rockstars captain, Takunda Chibi, thanked the club’s sponsors for believing in their capabilities.
“First of all, I would like to thank the sponsors and the coaches for setting everything in motion, and I can say the experience was good. As the first match of the season, we had a great run, and we will surely do more in the next game, alongside my players who gave it all, testing their ability in the first game of the season,” said Chibi.
In a separate interview, Prince ‘Mbare’ Kuboya, one of Rockstars players, said: “It was a great game against Hatcliffe. I played my heart out, and it paid off. Credit to the team; we worked hard, and it showed. Thanks to our fans for the support; now we focus on the next one.”
With players drawn from around Mutare schools like Nyanga High, St Augustine’s High, Sakubva, St Joseph’s, and Mutare Boys’ High, while others are based elsewhere, like Peterhouse, but trace their roots to Mutare, the club is poised for greater heights.
However, the majority are from Mutare Boys’ High, where Casper ‘Belt’ Bandi is the head coach, and helps in nurturing most of the talent.
Rockstars’ main sponsors are Chriss Wheels Car Rental and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, as well as a group of rugby enthusiasts called Casper and Friends.
