admingame pregnant with deep rivalry and the pride that is at stake.
The Sables have already won the Victoria Cup tournament but assistant coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge believes there is a lot to play for when they take on Kenya in front of their home crowd this afternoon.
“Of course Kenya are coming from a defeat to Uganda but we would like to put them in their rightful position and we should get back where we belong on the international rugby scene
“We want to finish the tournament this year in style as we have equalled the 1987 record of four straight wins and we have to win against Kenya to beat that record and set a new one,” said Mandenge. Originally the game was set for the Kenya Rugby Grounds but was moved to the National Stadium as the Kenya Rugby Grounds are under undergoing renovations. Kenya would like to end the tournament on a high and a win in this game would see them end the tournament in second position, having beaten Uganda at home.
The Ugandans also have a single win after beating Kenya in Kampala. Shujaa have so far lost two games and won one but the Sables remain the only undefeated team in the tri-nations series that is played on a home and away basis. The Sables won the tournament last week when Uganda inflicted a painful defeat to Kenya – who were the only team that had a chance to fight for honours against Zimbabwe as they had only lost once.
Shujaa won the inaugural Victoria Cup tournament last year but they were not good enough to defend their title as Zimbabwe took advantage, with a team comprising upcoming players who were blended with experience, to win the title. The Sables squad looks stable up front where they are banking on the experience of veteran and stand-in captain Costa Dinha, hooker Preyer Chitenderu, lock Fortune Chipendu and eighthman Norman Mukondiwa. Fullback Daniel Robertson’s experience at the back, combined with the skill of the wing pairing of Gardner Nechironga and Tangai Nemadire, is expected to stabilise the new centre combination of Lloyd Machanjaira and Dylan Bradshaw in the midfield.
“We have a side good enough to beat the Kenya team and set a new record because if you look at the way we have been playing you will notice that there is a trend of getting better with each game.
“We know that Kenya can be a tough side in front of their home crowd but we are prepared for that because we have some players who travelled to Kenya last year and they know what to expect.”
And Mandenge sees no reason why Zimbabwe should lose this game.
“We are fired up. We went into this tournament with set targets and a defeat to Kenya will make sure we do not achieve these targets.
“Our main aim is to finish the tournament unbeaten and I am very confident that the boys will achieve this target because they understand where we are coming from and where we are going.
“The good thing about the set targets is that the players were the first to set these targets,” said Mandenge. The Harare Sports Club coach is happy with the squad he has and believes they are ready for the tournament having also held two combined training sessions with the Under-19 side before departure. The Young Sables were preparing for the Junior Africa Cup in Harare and both sides took advantage of this opportunity to try their players before their respective tournaments.
“I am happy as we got an opportunity to select the best of our side as there were no injuries going into camp. It is good we managed to get time with the Under-19s because we were not going to play any game before playing Kenya and I would say it was important that we got that time.” Last year Zimbabwe suffered two defeats at the hands of Kenya, both at Harare Sports Club and at the Kenya Rugby Grounds, but
Mandenge believes there are a lot of changes that have seen Zimbabwe getting stronger.
“The defeats last year were because we were just returning to play more Test games against side that were ranked above us but this year we were also boosted by the fact that some of the junior players graduated into the Sables.
“Interest among the players to play for the Sables has also been generated and this has led to a higher and stiffer competition for the jersey, this increases the competition and standard of play in the team.
Zimbabwe Starting XV
Backs: Daniel Robertson, Gardner Nechironga, Lloyd Machanjaira, Cleopas Makotose, Tangai Nemadire, Tichafara Makwanya, Charles Jiji.
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Prayer Chitenderu, Kudakwasha Kambasha, Fortunate Chipendu, Schalk Ferreira, Shingi Mpofu, Costa Dinha, Norman Mukondiwa.
Substutites: Tatenda Karuru, Pieter Joubert, Brian Makamure, Njabulo Ndlovu, Jan Ferreira, Cleopas Makotose, Thomas Nelson.
Coach: Brandon Dawson
Assistant: Cyprian Mandenge
Manager: Noddy Kanyangarara
Physio: Farai Muguwe.
Kenya Starting XV
Backs: Vincent Mose, Victor Sudi, Kelvin Omiyo, Patrice Agunda, Peter Abuoga, Issac Adimo, Peter Mutai.
Forwards: Joel Nganga, Vincent Ongera, Daniel Kiptoo, Martin Likami, Ronnie Mwenesi, Anthony Mutai, Andrew Amonde, Lawrence Buyachi,
Substitutes: Dennis Abenga, Dennis Karani, Victor Oduor, David Mogere, Edwin Achayo, Nato Simiyu, Allan Omuka.
Coach: Michael Otieno
Assistants: Edward Kinyany, Charles Ngovi
Manager: Wangila Simiyu
Physio: Chris Makachia
Online Reporter