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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
SABLES prop Denford Mutamangira feels his heart is still with the national rugby side despite pulling out of the squad expected to leave the country tomorrow for the World Cup qualifier play-off against Russia next Saturday. Coach Brendan Dawson feels hard done by Mutamangira’s decision to withdraw from the trip to Russia.The Scotland-based loose-head prop yesterday opened up to The Herald that the working conditions played a part in his decision not to travel.
Mutamangira was part of the Sables side that finished second to Namibia in the Africa Cup.

“I pulled out and this is because there are other things I need to do that require my attention. There are also some things that have been happening in the Sables camp that I am not happy about because if I look at the amount of work I put in, compared with the remuneration, then I feel that I have to remain behind and do some personal things.

“I am not saying that my commitment to the Sables is over, I am still available for the Sables, it’s not like I don’t want to play for my country but at times there are situations that force us not to travel,” said Mutamangira .

Three players — Tangai Nemadire and Gerald Sibanda (back row) and front rower Mutamangira — advised the Sables technical team that they will not travel to Siberia. “That Denford will not be travelling is a huge loss, I must say, because he played some good rugby in Madagascar, he is a heavy forward and a great front rower, he is solid and dominated.

“All the same we will have to make do with the guys we have up front I am sure Peit Joubert will be equal to the task and, with the help of Murray and Kevin, we can have a stable front row,” said Dawson. Director of rugby Liam Middleton said they were concerned about Mutamangira’s decision to pull out of the trip.

“Denford has opted not to travel and play in Russia due to his own personal reasons. We had a lengthy meeting with him but he refused to disclose his reasons and we respect his decision,” said Middleton. Njabulo Ndlovu and Schalk Ferreira were dropped due to injuries sustained in Madagascar. Eightman Takunda Chifokoyo has bounced back, winger Shayne Makombe and lock Fortunate Chipendu have been drafted in.

“My heart is with the Sables as they go to Russia. It’s not all the time that I will be available for the Sables and I believe that the boys are capable of doing a great job in Siberia so I have no reason to doubt their capabilities. . . they will do well,” said Mutamangira.
Sables squad for Russia

Forwards: Pieter Joubert, Keith Murray, Kevin Nqindi, Jan Ferreira, Graeme Lawler, Jacques Leitao, Lambert Groenewald, Lawrence Cleminson, Sanele Sibanda, Matthew Mandioma, Farai Mudariki, Fortune Chipendu, Kingsley Lang, Takunda Chifokoyo.

Backs: Daniel Hondo (captain), Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’Neill, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Peter Du Toit, Lenience Tambwera, Shayne Makombe, Danny Robertson.