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Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Junior Sables lost 13-14 to Namibia in Mpumalanga, South Africa, yesterday.

Kudzaishe Maringa and Munashe Maisera scored tries for Zimbabwe, while Milton Manyangadze added a conversion.

Team manager Tan Dinhidza felt his team would have won the contest.

“The Junior Sables stumbled at the last hurdle; we are disappointed with how the spectators and the referee somehow allowed Namibia to get a penalty which they converted and won the match.

“All we can say is that we were proud of our players because they played a good game, entertaining rugby; the entire stadium was pleased with how we performed.

“The boys played their hearts out and, unfortunately, we missed an opportunity to beat Namibia.

“I believe the boys will learn from this and develop themselves in the future.”

Captain Munashe Mhere urged his teammates to remain focused.

“I believe the reason why we did not win our first two matches was because of lack of confidence. In our match against Namibia we were unfortunate not to win because we played well,” said Mhere.

The Junior Sables lost 0-40 against Blue Bulls in the festival opener and went on to lose 7-15 to Griquas.

Zimbabwe Under-13 national team:

Marcelle Masvikeni (vice-captain), Brendon Mason, Brain Java, Tinashe Zvinaro, Tadiwanashe Maravanyika, Tandiwa Karimazondo, Kudzaishe Maringa, Munashe Mhere (captain), Milton Manyangadze, Matthew Hickey, Carl Kawondza, Munashe Maisera, Jehiel Maguranyanga, Joshua Nyamutora, John Campbell, Joshua Blatch, Panashe Masaya, Venon Matongo, Masimba Ndoro, Conor Higgins, Tapiwanashe Zvidzai, Tadiwanashe Murewa, Nyasha Gumbo.