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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
FOREIGN-BASED Sables have started trooping in as the Zimbabwe senior national rugby side prepares for their Africa Cup opener against Kenya at Prince Edward School in 11 days time.

The United Kingdom-based flanking duo of Kingsley Lang and Andrew Rose are already in the country while South Africa-based fly-half, Lenience Tambwera, and Lawrence Clemenson, are expected to jet in today.

Yesterday the Zimbabwe Rugby Union named an extended 43-man training squad ahead of their training camp, expected to start on Saturday, adding that the rest of the players will be in by Sunday.

At least seven top players, including Cheetahs captain and flanker Jacques Leitao, have indicated they will not be able to make it for both the camp and the Africa Cup opener but coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge says he is happy with the arsenal at his disposal.

“These are the guys that have put up their hands to play for Zimbabwe and I am happy with the quality of players,” said Mandenge.

“We have to work hard and use every minute of our preparations.”

Leitao, who has relocated to Malawi, has pressing work commitments.

Other top players that are not available include versatile forward Njabulo Ndlovu, who has some exams, Pumas flanker Lambert Groenewald (club commitments), the duo of scrummy Hilton Mudariki and centre Shayne Makombe (exams), while the duo of fly-half Guy Cronje and winger Gerald Sibanda are tied with work.

“The locally-based players have been training hard, the turn-up at the session have been very impressive and I am also happy that quite a number of foreign-based players are available.

“As Zimbabwe we are in the top-flight Group 1A and we risk relegation from the group if we are not careful and that is why we need to be so cautious and take it stage by stage.

“We should not forget that we are looking at qualifying for the 2019 World Cup so that starts now and the young players are the way to go, of course supported by the more experienced and mature players,” said the Old Hararians coach.

Mandenge said the Sables will start their camp with a fitness test.

“That will be the first stage and results from this test will give us an indication of how we will work during the week, because we will also have to trim the side just to the final 23 so fitness will be key.”

Zimbabwe won the Africa Cup in 2011, but failed to make it for the World Cup last year.

Kenya beat Portugal 41-15 in their last match.

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

Sables Training 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, Tapiwa. Tsomondo, Osborne. Muhambi, Tawanda. Chowe, Kudakwaishe. Chisepo.

Backs:

Charles. Jiji, Taddy. Whata, Takura. Tela, Tichafara. Makwanya, Lenience. Tambwera, Boyd. Rouse, Riaan. O’Neil, Taku. Chieza, Steven. Hunduza, Gardner. Nechironga, Tafadzwa. Chitokwindo, Tangai. Nemadire, Lungile. Tshuma, Maparura. Malvern, Mandivenga. Brendon, Cleopas. Makotose, Danie.l Caps, Kuda. Chiwanza, Mclean. Muhambi, Andrea. Banda, Philimon. Machisa, Kelvin. Magunje