adminSenior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE have made eight changes to their final squad of 23 players for the must-win Africa Cup Division 1A rugby tie against Uganda at the Police Grounds in Harare on Saturday.
Led by prop Denford Mutangamira, who is deputised by loose forward Jacques Leitao, eight changes were made to the squad named for the Kenya match that Zimbabwe lost 61-15 at the same venue on July 9.
New players brought in include loose forward Njabulo Ndlovu, prop Pieter Joubert, hookers Matthew Mandioma, Keith Murray, fullback Lungile Tshuma, scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, yet to be capped utility backline player Ngoni Chibuwe and lock Sanele Sibanda.
Dropped from the squad are Joshua Gando, Lucky Sithole, Ernest Mudzengerere, Tolerance Zishe, David Makanda, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Manasah Sita and Royal Mwale.
Thirteen forwards have been chosen, while 10 backline players were selected in the final squad from which coach Cyprian “Super” Mandenge will pick his starting 15.
Mudariki is certain to don the number nine jersey ahead of Charles Jiji and Lungile Tshuma is most likely to be slotted into the fullback position in place of Tangai Nemadire, while in the absence of Mwale, Murray and Mandioma will battle for the hooker spot.
Zimbabwe must beat Uganda as any other result would spell doom for the game in the country. If the Sables, who are bottom of the four-team log after their humiliating loss to Kenya, fail to conquer the Rugby Cranes, then they might as well start preparing for life in the lower 1B next year.
Zimbabwe finish off their campaign this year with a trip to Namibia where they meet the hosts in Windhoek on August 6. The Sables suffered a 6-80 drubbing when they visited the Namibian capital last year and cannot expect any favours from the Biltongboere next month, which is why they have to take care of Uganda on Saturday.
Sables squad
Forwards: Lawrence Cleminson, Matthew Mandioma, Denford Mutangamira (captain), Fortunate Chipendu, Biselele Tshamala, Jacques Leitao (vice-captain), Constantine Dinha, Irvine Nduwa, Witness Mandidzha, Sanele Sibanda, Pieter Joubert, Njabulo Ndlovu, Keith Murray
Backline: Charles Jiji, Lenience Tambwera, Stephan Hunduza, Boyd Rouse, Gavin Nyawata, Lungile Tshuma, Tangai Nemadire, Gerald Sibanda, Hilton Mudariki, Ngoni Chibuwe.
Online Reporter