Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE has set in motion plans for the Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy title defence with the naming of a 73-member high-performance squad for the 2023 competition.
The Barthes Trophy is the biggest competition for Under-20 players on the continent with the winners qualifying for the World Rugby Junior Trophy.
Kenya will once again host the continent’s Under-20 championship, which will feature eight teams namely, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Madagascar, Uganda, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast.
The competition is set for April.
Zimbabwe won the 2022 edition of the competition after beating Namibia in the final.
The young Zimbabweans managed to get the grail following their three matches without defeat.
The Zimbabweans defeated Tunisia (19-18) and Madagascar (32-03) in the semi-finals, before beating arch-rivals Namibia 19-14 in the final. Prior to that triumph in Kenya, had last won the competition in 2011.
They followed that up with another successful campaign at the World Rugby U20s Canada Conference.
Zimbabwe’s Under-20 rugby side ended their campaign at the high-profile tourney in style with a 43-35 win over Chile at the Guelph University in Ontario, Canada.
The victory secured a second overall finish for the Junior Sables in the four-nation series after beating hosts Canada in the first match before going down to the eventual winners Uruguay.
Provisional squad
Forwards: Happias Zhou, Tadiwanashe Marumisa, Farai Madzima, Rogers Tayengwa, Takunda Mudzingwa, Munashe Ndhlela, Giordano Sarpo, Tamuka Kambani, Tawananyasha Bwanya, Shingi Manyarara, Tashinga Makiwa, Kelvin Kaseke, Godfrey Zvinavashe, Tafadzwa Gwaza, Kudakwashe Gotora, Tadiwa Chimwada, Gerry Zisengwe, Martin Hakunavanhu, Bryan Chiang, Takudzwa Zvomuya, Darryl Mwenso, Tanaka Gondo-Mukandapi, Allan Mawunga, Vincent Chimwendo, Muzuva Gutu, Prince Chinyadura, Tendai Maruma, Tinotenda Matimbira, Joseph Benning, Ryan Mckenzie, Nqobile Manyara, Gealan Jaricha, Gamaliel Munembe, Stanley Muranganwa, Tadiwa Mazanhi, Jackson Munyaka, Huntley Materson, Leo Mutendi, Hagler Muchenji, Tanaka Ndoro, Tadiwa Gwaraba, Mwaita Makanza, Takudzwa Kamucheta, Panashe Taderera.
Backs: Panashe Zuze, Brendon Marume, Alex Nyamuda, Kudakwashe Nyamushaya, Tadiwanashe Unganai, Edward Sigauke, Panashe Mugorogodi, Simbarashe Kanyangarara, Tadiwa Ngirazi, Cole Musanigwa, Shadrick Mandaza, Benoni Nhekairo, Dion Khumalo, Tanaka Chinyanga, Dereck Karuma, Munotida Marimirofa, Oliver Masara, Tawanda Matipano, Nigel Siabwanda, Damien Moyo, Welton Charumbira, Kholwani Moyo, Jerome Sagomba, Kelton Kaseke, Vuyani Ncube, Brendan Jameson, Taona Mapani, Mbekezeli Siziba, Callon Matsikira. —@innocentskizoe.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter