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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE’S Sables face a defining moment in their quest to secure a third-place finish in the 2017 Africa Gold Cup when they date Uganda in a Group A1 showdown at the Legends Rugby Club in Kampala this afternoon.

A sudden loss of form that followed their blistering start in the Group A1 campaign has left the Sables with just their 31-16 away victory over basement side Senegal in Dakar to show for their industry.

That poor run by coach Cyprian Mandenge’s men has left them in fourth place and put the Sables under pressure to win today’s game at all costs. The Sables now need a 30-plus bonus point victory in order to overhaul the Cranes and finish third in the group.

Namibia have already sealed their place at the 2019 World Cup after winning the group while Kenya secured second place.

The Sables, who flew into Kampala on Thursday and reportedly received a hostile reception, blew chances to make their job easier by losing at home to Kenya, and lightweights Tunisia after another defeat by Namibia in Windhoek.

Mandenge, who last night leapt to the defence of his under-fire Sables, said his major worry at the moment was the weather conditions in Kampala.

“The conditions keep changing. One minute it’s blazing hot the next it’s raining so we just have to be prepared for anything.

“The Ugandans are physical and quick, but the guys are looking forward to the game and they have always put bodies on the line for the country.

“Yes, they (Sables) didn’t play well against Tunisia, but generally they have come a long way without support until a Trust came on board and I feel they are being judged harshly.

“Now people have seen the potential and the coming on board of the Trust and everyone wants to be involved, including those who abandoned us thinking there was no hope,” Mandenge said.

Mandenge also named his starting XV with Mutamangira set to lead from the front row in a side that must neutralise the Ugandan raids and derail their pacy backliners.

Despite having recovered from injury, flyhalf, Lenience Tambwera would have to contend with a start on the bench as Mandenge has retained vice-captain Tichafara Makwanya at that Number 10 role.

Hilton Mudariki is at scrumhalf and the pair of Stephen Hunduza and Takudzwa Kumadiro have been tasked to patrol Zimbabwe’s charge on the wings.

Uganda’s South African coach John Duncan told The Daily Monitor newspaper that he wants his side to finish on a high in a campaign he has described as a “good one”.

“I think it has been a good campaign so far, but we still have one more box to tick then I would regard the job as done.

“I would obviously like to finish the campaign with a win and we’ll do everything in our power to go for the win,” Duncan said. Uganda, who three years ago were playing in the second tier Silver group have managed two wins, a draw and a loss in four games.

Whether they lose or win today, the hosts know they have done enough to retain their place in the group where the battle against demotion is basically between Senegal and Tunisia.

Retaining a place in the Gold Cup guarantees the teams a chance to challenge for 2019 Japan World Cup qualification next year.

“There has been a solid improvement in our play and am happy with the depth we have developed since 2015. “The first win against a West African side in West Africa was memorable. The way we played against Kenya in Kenya was also remarkable,” Duncan said.

Zimbabwe XV

Denford Mutamangira, Royal Mwale, Lawrence Cleminson, Fortunate Chipendu, Witness Mandizha, Jacques Leitao, Njabulo Ndlovu, Kingsley Lang, Hilton Mudariki, Tichafara Makwanya, Stephan Hunduza, Riaan O’Niel, Gavin Nyawata, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Tadius Dzandiwandira