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CALM BEFORE THE STORM. . . Sables assistant coach Cyprian Mandenge insists he is not worried about the squad composition of their opponents in the Africa Cup tournament that is also doubling as the World Cup qualifier

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
AN air of anxiety has gripped the Zimbabwe Sables camp ahead of the announcement of the squad that will travel to Madagascar for the crucial 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifiers next week. Zimbabwe will take on Madagascar, Kenya and Namibia in the Africa Cup that also serves as a World Cup qualifier and the two continental giants named their squads yesterday.

However, Sables assistant coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge claimed they were not worried about the Namibians and the Kenyans.
The nation will by this afternoon know who will be travelling for the two-week tournament after the technical crew finalise on their squad this morning.

Mandenge yesterday told The Herald that the Sables technical team is not worried about the squad compositions for Kenya and Namibia who are their biggest threats at the competition and have reportedly had better preparations.

“I am a coach who believes in controlling what we can control. We are not really worried about who they have selected or not. We just have to worry about how we are going to play. We are not worried about them dropping Jacques because whoever comes in is equally good because to represent your country you have to pick the best players.

“I am not sure of the squad selection but the team will be named tomorrow (today). We are going through the normal session with Swart again tomorrow do the usual splits backs and forward structure in defence and structure in forwards.

“The boys are looking not so worried about who is going to make it but are into the bigger picture of us qualifying for the World Cup, so the mood is excellent. Nothing has changed and what they want is for whoever is selected to go and represent the country with pride,” said Mandenge.

However, it is understood that flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya, lock Fortunate Chipendu, centre Shane Makombe and Gardner Nechironga are among some of the players that have been dropped from the travelling party.

The Old Hararians coach feels that the coming in of Baile Swart — a South African forwards specialists coach — brought a different dimension and is helping the Sables given his playing and coaching background.

“The boys feel great, I think it helps when players hear a different voice especially that he is one person who has been there and done that so they were looking forward to working with him.

“(Sables coach) Dawson was working more with the forwards closer to Swart but the boys say they benefited a lot and enjoyed the sessions.
“As a coach we learn everyday and  I have picked quite a number of things from him. I have had an opportunity to have a lot of his recorded sessions and pretty much a lot of stuff I have been using for the last two years  come from his recorded stuff,” said Mandenge.

Sables Probable Squad:
F, Mudariki, J. Ferreira, S. Ferreira, L. Groenewald, P. Joubert, G. Lawler, J. Leitao, M. Mandioma, T. Mangezi, K. Murray, D. Mutamangira, R. Mwale, N. Ndlovu, K. Nqindi, M. Passaportis, A. Rose, S. Sibanda, N. Winwood.
Backs: R. Cronje, H. Mudariki, L. Tambwera. T. Chitokwindo, D. Hondo, T. Nemadire, S. Hunduza, D. Robertson, R. O’Neill, G. Sibanda,

Kenya squad:
Forwards: James Kang’ethe, Joseph Kang’ethe, Curtis Lilako,Max Adaka, Moses Amusala, Sammy Warui, Wilson Kopondo, Oliver Mang’eni, Ronnie Mwenesi, Brian Nyikuli, Davis Chenge, Michael Okombe, Andrew Amonde, Martin Owila, Joshua Chisanga.
Backs: Edwin Achayo, Lyle Asiligwa, Kenny Andola, Lavin Asego, Nick Barasa, Patrice Agunda, Dennis Muhanji, Humphrey Kayange, Michael Agevi, Collins Injera, Tony Onyango
Technical team: Jerome Paarwater (head coach), Charles Ngovi (assistant coach), Graham Bentz (strength  and conditioning coach), Richard Ochieng (strength and conditioning coach), Felix Ochieng (performance analyst), Chris Makachia (Physio), Simiyu Wangila (team manager)

Namibia squad:  Morne Blom, Rathony Bekker, Thomasua Forbes, Darryl de la Harpe, Johan Deysel, David Poeding Philander, Rohan Kitshof, Theuns Kotze, Heinrich Smit, Justin Nel, Johan Tromp, Divan Visser, Dian Gene Wiese, Arthur Bouwer, Eniel Buitendach, Chrysander Botha, Thinus du Plessis, Renaldo Bothma, Jaco Engels, Andre Schlechter, Awie Thompson, Tjiuza Munee, Shaun du Preez, Johnny Redelinghuys, Malcolm Moore

Technical team: Roger Thompson (defense coach & technical analyst), Michiel Greeff (s & c coach), Henry Kemp (forwards coach), Walter Don (backline coach), PJ van Lill (captain), Danie Vermeulen (head coach), William Steenkamp (team manager), Maritz Laubscher (team doctor), Wayne Damons (team physiotherapist), Danie Strauss (NRU Vise-President & Chief de Mission)