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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
GERMANY-based winger, Tafadzwa “MaRubber” Chitokwindo, is expected to have his first training session with the Sables today after arriving in the country yesterday for the Rugby Africa Cup game against Kenya next week.

Chitokwindo is one of the players who have been consistent in both the Sevens and XVs version of the game for club and country with his pace and eye for the gap coming in handy for Zimbabwe.

He was last night part of the crowd that watched the Old Hararians training session under the guidance of coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge, who is also the Sables coach.

While most of the foreign-based players are expected in by the end of this week, locally-based players have been taking the field sessions every Monday and Wednesday.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union yesterday revised the initial squad they had released, cutting down the training squad from 43 to 35.

Harare Sports Club lock Kudakwaishe Chisepo, Western Province flanker Tapiwa Tsomondo, Osborne Muhambi and Tawanda Chowe are the forwards who have been dropped.

From the backline, United States-based and former Young Sables centre Takura Tela, Takudzwa Chieza, Brendon Mandivenga and Philimon Machisa complete the eight players that did not make the cut.

Mandenge yesterday told The Herald they had to cut down on the number to make his job easier when it comes to selecting the final 23.

“It was necessitated by the fact that we have to take into account man management and the fact that there are more specific areas we have to look at so, given the short time we are left with before the game, we had to reduce the number of players going into camp,” said Mandenge.

It will not be easy for the Sables after Kenya crushed Portugal 41-15.

Key to the Kenya win was their backline who displayed flawless rugby.

“We play a different game compared to Portugal, and we also play a different game compared to Kenya, so we are not worried about how they played because we can’t control what happens in their camp,” said Mandenge.

Sables Squad

Forwards: Denford. Mutamangira, Tatenda. Murwira, Farai. Mudariki, Pieter. Joubert, Lawrence. Clemenson, Royal. Mwale, Kudzai. Muzorewa, Jan. Ferreira, Martin. Wolfenden, Sanele. Sibanda, Biselele. Tshamala, Tadiwa. Parirenyatwa, Graeme. Lawler, Andrew. Rose, Fortune. Chipendu, Kingsley. Lang, Shingai. Mpofu,

Backs: Charles. Jiji, Taddy. Whata, Tichafara. Makwanya, Lenience. Tambwera, Boyd. Rouse, Riaan O’Neil, Steven. Hunduza, Gardner. Nechironga, Tafadzwa. Chitokwindo, Tangai. Nemadire, Lungile. Tshuma, Malvern. Maparura, Cleopas. Makotose, Daniel. Capsopolous, Kuda. Chiwanza, Mclean. Muhambi, Andrea. Banda, Kelvin. Magunje