adminPaul Munyuki Harare Bureau
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union have named an extended training squad for the Under-19 team as they begin selection for players to represent Zimbabwe at the Junior Africa Cup tournament in a month’s time. This youth competition will run from August 24 to August 29 this year at Prince Edward School with Namibia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe taking part.
Last year’s winners Namibia will take on Uganda while Zimbabwe face Kenya in their opening games.
Zimbabwe Under-20 coach, Brandon Brider, announced a 59-member squad that includes foreign-based players, including some who were part of the Under- 19 Craven Week in South Africa last week.
Though there are some players that were yet to confirm their availability, ZRU director of coaching, Brighton Chivandire, yesterday told our Harare Bureau that they will have finalise the full schedule for the Under-19s today, having consulted with the technical team.
“There were one or two players that the coach (Brider) was yet to talk to and find out if they were going to be part of the squad but I’m sure he has done so. I’ve been away and only got back to office this afternoon (yesterday) but I’ll confirm with the technical team tomorrow,” said Chivandire.
The Under-19 side is under the guidance of new coach Brider of St George’s College, who is being assisted by Churchill’s Bob Mahari, while Prince Edward coach Shaun de Souza comes in as the team manager.
The trio take over from Sables assistant coach Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda, who is also the Under-18 girls coach, and over the past two years was assisted by Geoff Madhake from Churchill.
However, it is the exciting blend of players that Brider had brought together that is expected to get down to business soon as they prepare for a week-long continental junior tournament at Prince Edward.
The Junior Africa Cup is used as a qualifier for the Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament.
Zimbabwe has failed to qualify for the tournament in the last three years with Namibia making it.
Falcon College hooker Brian Muntanga, Tinotenda Msasanure, Ernest Mudzengerere, Shingirai Katsvere, Levi Fargnoli, Campbell Nyakudya, Sam Phiri, Kevin Chisango, Aiden Burnett, Liam Kenny, and Tinashe Muchena are some of the Under-18s that were in South Africa for the Craven Week.
University of Johannesburg’s Stephen Bhasera, Ronald Marley from Stellenbosch, Free State’s Daniel Nyamugama, Martin Lioma from Limpopo, United Kingdom-based Ngoni Zinyama and Tawanda Ngosi fom Durban are some of the foreign-based players.
Online Reporter