Zimpapers Logo

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
Old Hararains coach Cyprian Mandenge has attributed his success to team work after he was named the Lion Lager National Rugby Coach of the Year at the annual awards ceremony held over the weekend.
Mandenge said his achievement was triumph for all the personnel involved in his technical team, which won the championship this year.
“I am happy to have received this award but ideally I would have loved it to be honoured as the entire technical team because as coaches we do not do all the work by ourselves.

“So I believe this should be called the best technical team of the year and not coach of the year because we work as a team.
“I would also like to thank the team because they are the ones who put the ball on the line,” said Mandenge.

Meanwhile, hosts Namibia made good use of the home advantage when they overcame a first half deficit to beat Kenya 55-35 at the Windhoek Draught Tri-Nations series at the weekend.

It was Namibia’s second victory in the series after they had earlier beaten Zimbabwe 35-26.
Kenya held a 25-15 lead at half-time but Namibia finished stronger and eventually ran in eight tries in a convincing victory.
Namibia ensured that they won all their matches to remain the only side undefeated in the series.

Flanker Rohan Kitshoff and wing Johan Tromp each scored two tries while centre Johan Deysel, wing Sergio de la Harpe and eighthman PJ van Lill scored one try each.

Namibia flyhalf Theuns Kotze added 15 points through six conversions and one penalty.
Kenya also got a penalty while wing Dennis Muhanji, fullback Isaac Adimo and substitute back Charles Owino scored tries.
Flyhalf Kenny Andola added 15 points.