Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Sables camp experienced a rare and bittersweet moment as fireworks and confetti rained down from the sky at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this past weekend.
The Sables had just gone down 26-36 to Tonga and stayed behind to watch their next opponents, the United States, put up a spirited effort to edge out Portugal 30-26 in the World Rugby Nations Cup opener.
The fireworks were a double celebration for the hosts as July 4 marked the country’s 250th birthday.
And a pyrotechnic show is customary for all Fourth of July celebrations.
The two teams have since made the short trip to Charlotte, where Zimbabwe takes on the US in the second round of Nations Cup fixtures this weekend.
For Zimbabwe, it is a chance to get their Nations Cup campaign back on the right foot after the disappointment against Tonga.
They will, however, take comfort from their second-half display that saw the Sables go from 19-9 down at the break to push the Pacific Islanders.
The team showed great resilience and character in a second-half performance led by the antics and heroics of winger Edward Sigauke.
The winger was instrumental in almost all of Zimbabwe’s second-half tries by Godfrey Muzanargwo, Blithe Mavesera, and Sigauke himself.
