Zimbabwe: Resurgent Sables Aim Higher

17 June 2011

The resurgent Sables, who are on a world rankings climb, are aiming higher when they take on rivals Kenya — their next opponents in the tri-nations Victoria Cup — after joining the continent’s elite.

The senior national 15s rugby side beat Uganda and Madagascar to gain promotion into the Africa Cup Group 1A, which is currently composed of Kenya, Namibia, Tunisia and Morocco.

The four nations will clash and one will be relegated to Group 1B to make way for Zimbabwe. Their victory against Uganda propelled the Sables five places up to 42. They will move further up courtesy of their 49-0 massacre of Madagascar on Wednesday.

Team manager Noddy Kanyangara said that the challenge is for the Sables to cement a place in the continent’s top four.

“These victories mean a lot to Zimbabwean rugby but we are mostly excited about the move in rankings and joining Group 1A,” said Kanyangara soon after returning home yesterday. “We need to build on this success now and take it into our next match against Kenya where another win would help us further progress in the rankings and move us closer to winning the cup. The important thing for us now is to work harder to maintain a place in the top four, we believe that’s where we belong.”

Zimbabwe lost to both Kenya and Uganda last year in the Victoria Cup and plummeted in the rankings.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union general manager Grant Mitchell said that the victories would serve as an inspiration to juniors to play for the Sables.

“This victory is important in a number of ways. First of all it has helped in the rankings and now we move to another group. But it is also important in terms of visibility, we are making our mark as a rugby force. Juniors are motivated to play for the team and the corporate world will see the need to put their money into rugby.”

The Kenya home game set for next weekend will be played at Hartsfield grounds in Bulawayo with Uganda expected the following week for the return match to be played in Harare.

Having won 25-15 against Uganda, tries from Shingi Mpofu, winger Gardner Nechironga, Kuda Kambasha, captain Daniel Hondo, Fortune Chipendo, Lloyd Machanjaire and Shayne Makombe laid the foundation for Zimbabwe 49-0 hammering of the islanders.

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