Zimbabwe women’s rugby team announced

THE country’s senior women rugby 12-member team that will take part in the Olympic qualifiers in Lusaka, Zambia beginning on Saturday, has been unveiled.

Under the guidance of experienced gaffer Cyprian Mandenge, Lady Cheetahs, will be targeting a top three finish in the 10-team tournament to enhance their chances for next year’s Olympics berth.

Mandenge’s charges will earn a qualification in the Africa Women’s Sevens Paris Olympics Games 2024 final qualifiers in Tunisia if they finish in the top three.

The veteran rugby gaffer took over the coaching reigns from ex-Lady Cheetahs mentor Derek Chiwara who has reportedly assumed the role of director of rugby at Falcon College, Esigodini.

Zimbabwe finished eighth at last year’s Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens in Tunisia.

In this year’s edition, they will pin their hopes for a good performance on Delight Mukomondo, Chiwoniso Mabika, Erica Marc, Pauline Sianga, Rufaro Tagarira and Kudzanai Wasili among other talented players.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) revealed that the trio of Wadzanai Chidawa, Trish Moko, Kudzai Chirinda, and Cleopatra Kadimu are non-travelling players.

Mandenge is a multi-talented coach, who has mentored some of the country’s most decorated athletes in rugby, cricket, athletics, boxing, martial arts and personal fitness training.

He has not coached at national team level since the end of his two-year tenure as the senior men Sables’ head coach between 2015 and 2017.

Mandenge is making a return to the national teams’ set up after some time on the sidelines.

He has, however, maintained a close connection with local rugby, having been credited with Old Hararians’ resurgence as a force in domestic rugby and is also the sports director at Eaglesvale, who have over the last few years become a huge force in local schools’ sports.

Squad

Delight Mukomondo, Chiwoniso Mabika, Erica Marc, Pauline Sianga, Rufaro Tagarira, Kudzanai Wasili, Rumbidzai Chigumbu, Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo, Tarren Munodaani, Nyasha Gonamombe, Robyn Mhembere, Tadiwanashe Chendambuya.