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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
CYPRIAN “Supa” Mandenge has landed the Sables coaching job and is set to be unveiled this morning at the Zimbabwe Rugby Union headquarters .

Mandenge, who last year was the assistant coach, takes over from Brendan Dawson and will be in charge of the national side on a four-year contract that is performance-based and subject for renewal every year.

The coach has a good understanding of the local game and has won several local league titles with both Old Hararians and Harare Sports Club.

He led the Sables to gain promotion into the World Cup qualifying Group 1A, after beating Madagascar and Uganda in Kampala, in 2011.

Mandenge has been considered largely due to his experience in the continental game, understanding of the local game and his loyalty to the ZRU.

The former Harare Sports Club and Varsity coach will not be the only coach to be unveiled as the ZRU are also expected to announce coaches for the Young Sables Under-20 side, the women’s and the Cheetahs who were led by Gilbert “Gidza” Nyamutsamba last year.

According to the ZRU, the appointed coaches will have the liberty to select their own support staff of assistant coaches and a manager.

The Young Sables will have a new coach this year after the ZRU indicated that Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda will not be part of their technical structure this year.