adminSenior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE have called up a strengthened squad ahead of their must-win Africa Division 1A rugby encounter against Uganda at the Police Grounds in Harare on Saturday.
A number of big name players that were not part of the Sables team humiliated 61-15 by Kenya at the same venue in their opening match on July 9 have been called up.
Notable inclusions in the 34-man training squad are scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, props Brian Makamure, Pieter Joubert, hookers Matthew Mandioma, Keith Murray, lock Sanele Sibanda, loose forwards Daniel Nyamugama, Njabulo Ndlovu, utility backline player Ngoni Chibuwe, wing Brandon Boshi and fullback Lungile Tshuma.
Sables coach Cyprian Mandenge should have the quality to choose his final squad of 23 for the clash against the Rugby Cranes on Saturday.
Mandenge will have a headache choosing the loose forwards because he has the hard working trio of Lucky Sithole, Biselele Tshamala, Jacques Leitao, the young Nyamugama, veteran Constantine Dinha and the robust Ndlovu to select from.
Mudariki is certain to be handed the number nine jersey ahead of Charles Jiji, who struggled against Kenya and is no longer the exciting player he was in 2011.
United States-based Tshuma is also certain to be brought in for Tangai Nemadire, a big liability in the last line of defence against Kenya whose mistakes resulted in the East Africans scoring most of their tries.
The Sables have been camped in Harare since Sunday when the foreign-based players started arriving from their bases. A final squad of 23 players is set to be announced this morning.
Zimbabwe must win the match against Uganda to increase their chances of remaining in the elite Division 1A.
Heading into their match against Uganda, Zimbabwe were bottom of the four-team log standings with zero points, while Uganda are second from bottom with one point.
If the Sables win on Saturday, they will pray that the Kenyans beat Uganda on July 30 for them to remain in the elite group to stand a chance to qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Zimbabwe finish their campaign in this year’s Africa Cup on August 6 against Namibia in Windhoek. Namibia top the log with 10 points from the two wins over Uganda and Kenya, while the Kenyans occupy second spot with the five points secured in Harare.
With the Sables beaten 80-6 by Namibia in Windhoek last year when the hosts retained the Africa Cup, Zimbabwe must take care of the Ugandans with a bonus point.
Sables training squad
Lawrence Cleminson, Brian Makamure, Denford Mutamangira (captain), Ian Muza, Pieter Joubert, Keith Murray, Matthew Mandioma, Graham Cochrane, George Saungweme, Sanele Sibanda, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Fortunate Chipendu, Daniel Nyamugama, Biselele Tshamala, Njabulo Ndlovu, Jacques Leitao (vice-captain), Constantine Dinha, Hilton Mudariki, Charles Jiji, Lenience Tambwera, Stephan Hunduza, Boyd Rouse, Ngoni Chibuwe, Gavin Nyawata, Lungile Tshuma, Tangai Nemadire, Tolerance Zishe, Irvine Nduwa, Lucky Sithole, Brandon Boshi, Witness Mandizha, Teddy Dzandiwandira, Gerald Sibanda, Joshua Gando.
Online Reporter