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Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE senior national rugby team captain Denford Mutangamira is in a race against time ahead of the crucial Africa Rugby Gold Cup match against Kenya this Saturday at Hartsfield in Bulawayo.

The veteran Harare Sports Club prop, who is nursing a collar bone injury, was examined by the doctors yesterday with prospects looking grim for the coming assignment against the East Africans.

Team manager Sam Samu said the medical team will continuously monitor his recovery after the doctors recommended a week’s rest. The Sables are set to host Tunisia the following week at Police Grounds.

“It’s a minor crack on the collar bone and we will probably know by tomorrow (today) if he will be able to play this week. But he will definitely be available for the following game against Tunisia,” said Samu. Zimbabwe lost 26-31 to Namibia last Saturday, in controversial circumstances, and slipped to fourth place in the six-team pool. They had beaten Senegal in the opening match of the campaign.

Zimbabwe returned home from Namibia on Sunday afternoon and coach Cyprian Mandenge said they have no time to waste as they need to prepare adequately for the home game against Kenya.

The Simbas have won twice and lost once in three starts. They are second in the race with 13 points while Uganda are third with 11 from three games followed by Zimbabwe who have seven points from two games.

Mandenge said Zimbabwe will need to punch above their weight to get a positive result against the East African opponents on Saturday.

“We are not breaking camp. In fact, there is no time to rest because we have a game coming up against Kenya right next week. So we need to dig deep and make sure that we address all the areas that we need to work on,” said Mandenge.

The coach was disappointed with the officiating after Zimbabwe fell to a contentious try in the final moments of the game.