adminMehluli Sibanda in Middelburg, South Africa
AFTER two defeats in as many matches at the on-going Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at High Technical School Middelburg in Middelburg, South Africa, the Old Mutual Zimbabwe Young Sables have shifted their attention to their last assignment against Namibia tomorrow. The Young Sables lost their first fixture of the Craven Week 54-41 to Eastern Province Country Districts on Monday before they came out second best against Griquas Country Districts when they lost 26-20 on Wednesday.
Coach Godwin Murambiwa pointed out that the two defeats have now put pressure on them to win against the Namibians.
He outlined that the match between the two teams was unique in that they are the only international teams and national anthems are sung before the match.
“We have lost our first two matches, focus is shifting to Namibia, we will have two sessions on Thursday and one session on Friday,’’ said Murambiwa.
All the 22 players in the Young Sables squad have been given a full game, something Murambiwa believes has given him a chance to select the strongest squad for the match against the Namibians.
At last year’s Craven Week played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Namibia defeated Zimbabwe 33-10 which effectively means that it is revenge time for the Young Sables.
Ahead of the clash with Namibia, there are no major injury concerns for Zimbabwe with worries only on scrumhalf Ngoni Zinyama.
Zinyama had cramps during the match against Griquas Country Districts which briefly forced him off the field to be attended to by medics but was able to finish the match.
Murambiwa, his assistant Brendon Brider, team manager Tungamirai Mashungu and some of the players watched Namibia play their second match at the Craven Week against Border Country Districts.
Namibia, who lost 53-13 to the North West Leopards, pounded Border Country Districts 69-0 having led 24-0 at halftime.
The Namibians scored 11 tries without conceding any points against Border Country Districts.
Albert Arries, the Namibian coach, feels that the match against Zimbabwe is going to be a closely contested affair.
Speaking after his side’s win over Border Country Districts, Arries said with the way Zimbabwe played against Griquas Country Districts, a match he feels they should have won, they are going to perform well against Namibia.
Some of the outstanding players for Namibia against Border Country Districts were skipper Adriaan Booysen with three tries, winger Milan Van Wyk with two tries and second centre Divan Rossouw who had the same number of tries.
Zimbabwe Under-18 in South Africa Coca-Cola Craven Week
Justin Mendelsohn, Lebogang Ngwenya, Stephen Bhasera (captain), Tinashe Gonese, Eli Snyman (vice-captain), Jeffrey Makoni, Cole Bond, Daniel Nyamugama, Campbell Nyakudya, Angus Bruce, Brian Mhuriyengwe, Matthew Ushewokunze (vice-captain), Tapiwa Mazorodze, Tawanda Ngosi, Tarisai Mapfumo, Brian Muntanga, Bradley Crause, Ackim Sibanda, Godwin Mangenje, Ngoni Zinyama, Shaun Snyder, Dean McRoberts
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Brendon Brider
Team manager: Tungamirai Mashungu
Online Reporter