Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira – [email protected]
YOUNG Sables coach Shaun De Souza says while their main focus is retaining the Rugby Africa Barthes Trophy title, for now, they are looking at overcoming the first hurdle in their title defence which is Cote d’Ivoire in the first quarter-final of the tournament.
The Zimbabwean team arrived in Kenya yesterday head of the start of the competition on Saturday. Zimbabwe start open their campaign against Cote d’Ivoire.
In other quarter-final encounters, Kenya take on Uganda, Madagascar have a date with Tunisia while Namibia face Zambia.
The tournament will serve as the qualifier for the World Rugby Under-20 championships to be held in South Africa later in the year.
Zimbabwe won the last edition of the competition after beating Namibia in the final.
The young Zimbabweans managed to lift the trophy after winning all their three matches.
Captained by Takudzwa Musingwini, the Zimbabweans defeated Tunisia 19-18 and Madagascar 32-3 in the semi-finals, before beating arch-rivals Namibia 19-14 in the title decider.
Before their success last year, Zimbabwe had last won the competition in 2012.
De Souza said they are eager to defend their title. “We are excited and looking forward to the first match.
“We have prepared well. We started this journey in November when it was the rainy season this side. I have been told it’s raining in Kenya, so I think we are ready for any weather conditions.
“As the defending champions everyone is aiming to beat us but we will take each game as it comes. Our first task is Cote d’Ivoire and that is our focus.
“After that we refocus on what the next assignment will be. As defending champions we want to retain the title and hopefully we bring the title home.
Fixtures
Quarter final fixtures Saturday April 22
Zimbabwe v Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar v Tunisia, Kenya v Uganda, Namibia v Zambia.
Semi-finals fixtures Wednesday April 26
A: Winner 1 v Winner 2, B: Winner 3 v Winner 4, Finals Fixture, Sunday April 30
•Winner A v Winner B. — @innocentskizoe.
Online Reporter