Sports / Rugby
Zimbabwe Sables ready for Kenya, departs today
21 Jul 2011 at 01:23hrs | Views
THE vastily improved Zimbabwe Sables are confident of maintaining their unbeaten run in the Victoria Cup when they take on Kenya in the final game of the rugby tri-nations tournament in Nairobi on Saturday afternoon.
Having been in camp this whole week, the Sables held their last training session with their junior side at Harare Sports Club yesterday and are expected to depart for the East African country this morning.
The Sables have been on fire this year, openning their international season with a 25-15 win over Uganda before dismissing Madagascar 49-0 to win the Africa Group B tournament and gained promotion into the World Cup qualifying Group A.
From then on, the Sables were on a roll, beating Kenya at Harare Sports Club and registering another win over Uganda in Bulawayo last month, and they are hoping that they will bring the Victoria Cup back home without suffering a defeat in their campaign.
Of course, the Brandon Dawson-coached side has already won the cup but they are going to Kenya with a lot of pride and records to play for as they would like to beat the 1987 record of four consecutive wins.
At the moment, they have equalled that record but another win will not only ensure that the Sables beat the standing statistics but also rise to the all-time high on the International Rugby Board World Rankings, come next Monday.
Six changes have been made to the side that faced Kenya at Harare Sports Club last month and this has seen the return of prop Kudakwashe Kambasha, in for Brian Makamure , lock Fortune Chipendo comes in for Costa Dinha who has been moved to flank in place of Jacques Leitao.
According to assistant coach Cyprian "Supa" Mandenge, Leitao is not available for this assignment due to work commitments while centre and captain Daniel Hondo is not available due to family commitments.
This has seen Hondo being replaced by Dylan Bradshaw who came in from the bench the last time the two sides met and he will partner Lloyd Machanjaira in the midfield while winger Tangai Nemadire has recovered from a concussion to get his number 11 jersey back.
The Sables will have two days to train in Kenya as they are expected to have a training session this afternoon before a captains' run tomorrow evening at the match venue.
Zimbabwe suffered their first home defeat to Kenya last year in the inaugural Victoria Cup tournament but a home win against Kenya this year has boosted the Sables spirits.
The Zimbabwe Sables' recent performance in the Africa Cup and the tri-nations Victoria Cup have left many believing local rugby might just be emerging from the doldrums.
The Sables' performances has resulted in the team climbing in the IRB World Rankings to 38th.
VIEW FULL IRB RANKINGS >>
Sables Squad
Backs: Daniel Robertson, Gardner Nechironga, Lloyd Machanjaira, Dylan Bradshaw, Tangai Nemadire, Tichafara Makwanya, Charles Jiji.
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Prayer Chitenderu, Kudakwashe Kambasha, Fortune Chipendu, Schalk Ferreira, Shingi Mpofu, Costa Dinha, Norman Mukondiwa.
Substitutes: Tatenda Karuru, Pieter Joubert, Brian Makamure, Njabulo Ndlovu, Jan Ferreira, Cleopas Makotose, Thomas Nelson.
Having been in camp this whole week, the Sables held their last training session with their junior side at Harare Sports Club yesterday and are expected to depart for the East African country this morning.
The Sables have been on fire this year, openning their international season with a 25-15 win over Uganda before dismissing Madagascar 49-0 to win the Africa Group B tournament and gained promotion into the World Cup qualifying Group A.
From then on, the Sables were on a roll, beating Kenya at Harare Sports Club and registering another win over Uganda in Bulawayo last month, and they are hoping that they will bring the Victoria Cup back home without suffering a defeat in their campaign.
Of course, the Brandon Dawson-coached side has already won the cup but they are going to Kenya with a lot of pride and records to play for as they would like to beat the 1987 record of four consecutive wins.
At the moment, they have equalled that record but another win will not only ensure that the Sables beat the standing statistics but also rise to the all-time high on the International Rugby Board World Rankings, come next Monday.
Six changes have been made to the side that faced Kenya at Harare Sports Club last month and this has seen the return of prop Kudakwashe Kambasha, in for Brian Makamure , lock Fortune Chipendo comes in for Costa Dinha who has been moved to flank in place of Jacques Leitao.
According to assistant coach Cyprian "Supa" Mandenge, Leitao is not available for this assignment due to work commitments while centre and captain Daniel Hondo is not available due to family commitments.
This has seen Hondo being replaced by Dylan Bradshaw who came in from the bench the last time the two sides met and he will partner Lloyd Machanjaira in the midfield while winger Tangai Nemadire has recovered from a concussion to get his number 11 jersey back.
The Sables will have two days to train in Kenya as they are expected to have a training session this afternoon before a captains' run tomorrow evening at the match venue.
Zimbabwe suffered their first home defeat to Kenya last year in the inaugural Victoria Cup tournament but a home win against Kenya this year has boosted the Sables spirits.
The Zimbabwe Sables' recent performance in the Africa Cup and the tri-nations Victoria Cup have left many believing local rugby might just be emerging from the doldrums.
The Sables' performances has resulted in the team climbing in the IRB World Rankings to 38th.
VIEW FULL IRB RANKINGS >>
Sables Squad
Backs: Daniel Robertson, Gardner Nechironga, Lloyd Machanjaira, Dylan Bradshaw, Tangai Nemadire, Tichafara Makwanya, Charles Jiji.
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Prayer Chitenderu, Kudakwashe Kambasha, Fortune Chipendu, Schalk Ferreira, Shingi Mpofu, Costa Dinha, Norman Mukondiwa.
Substitutes: Tatenda Karuru, Pieter Joubert, Brian Makamure, Njabulo Ndlovu, Jan Ferreira, Cleopas Makotose, Thomas Nelson.
Source - Byo24Sports
