adminZimbabwe’s Sables take on Uganda in a Confederation of Africa Rugby mini- tournament in Kampala.
The South Africa based fullback is part of the Sables squad largely dominated by players from Harare Sports Club and he last represented the country at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2009.
He broke his leg at the Asian leg of the International Rugby Board Sevens Series and is yet to play for the national team again.
But the former Sports Club player will don the green and white strip when the Sables take on Uganda in Kampala in a tournament that includes Madagascar and hosts Uganda.
Côte d’Ivoire pulled out last week.
Sables manager Nody Kanyangarara said the team arrived in Kampala yesterday morning and had a light training session at the Uganda Rugby Club.
“We arrived here this (yesterday) morning and we had a light session, actually the players were just stretching at the URC but we will have a full programme tomorrow (today),” said Kanyangarara.
Last year Zimbabwe lost to Uganda in the Victoria Cup – a tri nationa tournament that includes the Sables, Kenya and the Cranes of Uganda.
Kanyangarara has given credit to the hosts for an improvement in the way they are handling teams in the tournament this year.
“Everything is looking very good this time around. The accommodation is good and the logistics are well in place and we are getting better treatment compared to the last time we were here.
“Tomorrow (today) we will have a mid-morning training session at the URC and have another in the afternoon at the same venue,” said the former Old Hararians coach.
Before their departure, the Sables were also taken on a training session, specialising on defence, conducted by England-based Cheetahs coach Liam Middleton at the weekend.
Middleton took over from Paul Hull as head coach of Bristol Rugby Club after he was promoted from the side’s Academy.
Sports Club dominate the side with 10 players coming from the Lions Den, including Raymond Dzvairo, Daniel Hondo, Sean Makombe and returnees Denford Mutamangira and Tangai Nemadire.
Their rivals Old Hararians have the experienced Prayer Chitenderu, former captain Costa Dinha and Tichafara Makwanya while Old Georgians have Pieter Joubert, Dylan Bradshow and Daniel Robertson.
Njabulo Ndlovu, Gardener Nechironga (Belhar Rugby Club), Fortunate Chipendu (Primrose Rugby Club), Makotose and Norman Mukondiwa (False Bay) come in from South Africa.
Sables Squad
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Samson Makuku, Raymond Dzvairo, Costa Dinha, Fortunate Chipendu, Njabulo Ndlovu, Kudakwashe Kambasha, Pieter Joubert, Devon Esbach, Prayer Chitenderu, Michael Coleman, Norman Mukondiwa, Jan Ferreira Gardner Nechironga.
Backs: Lloyd Machanjaire, Phillimon Machisa, Tichafara Makwanya, Tangai Nemadire, Danny Robertson, Shayne Makombe, Daniel Hondo, Cleopas Makotose, Dylan Bradshaw, Phillimon Machisa.
Online Reporter