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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Sables camp started on a low yesterday after 17 players reported for the first session with vice captain Tichafara Makwanya noting that they will be under pressure to perform when they take on winless Tunisia at Prince Edward School on Saturday.

Zimbabwe are preparing for their rugby Africa Cup Group 1A game against the Lima of Tunisia, who yesterday lost 46-15 to hosts Kenya, and this according to Makwanya puts them under immense pressure to turn on a good show and maintain their winning form.

Tunisia are the only side yet to register a win in the four-team competition having first lost to Namibia while Zimbabwe beat Kenya in their opening game two weeks ago and a defeat for the North Africans here on Saturday would mean their relegation to Group 1B.

However, the Sables’ top priority in the competition is to lift the cup they last won three years ago, before Kenya and Namibia won the last two editions and only a win over Tunisia on Saturday would keep their dream alive.

“Of course, that puts us under immense pressure we cannot afford to slip up at any stage of the competition. We are under pressure because Tunisia will be fighting relegation and at the same time we want to remain in the race for the cup.

“There are a lot of factors that will influence performance on the day but at the end of the day we have to perform better that we did in our first game against Kenya; we need to prove that we have improved.

“But we had a slow start to camp today and I believe we have to be at our best as soon as the next training session (this morning at Old Hararians Sports Club), some numbers (players) were not here today but we have to up our game because we do not have much time,” said Makwanya.

Some of the players who reported for training include the likes of Farai Mudariki and his older brother Hilton, Lawrence Clemenson, Andrew Rose, Fortune Chipendu, Stephan Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tawanda Nkosi and Tatenda Matoramusha.

Scrummy Charles Jiji, centres Takudzwa Chieza and Cleopas Makotose and fly-half Lenience Tambwera arrived a few moments after coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge had already gone through some paces with some of the players.

Nonetheless, Mandenge is not happy on the structure of the competition as he feels all the games should be played at the same time on the same day to avoid unnecessary permutations.

“I believe all the game should be played at the same time, on the same day because it’s not good as some teams will go into the competition knowing exactly what they need, like in our case with Tunisia.

“I am not complaining but for clarity’s sake that would be important. A lot of things can happen if a team knows the result they need,” said Mandenge.

Sables Training Squad

Forwards: Denford Mutamangira (captain), Kevin Nqindi, Farai Mudariki, Tatenda Murwira, Lawrence Clemenson, Royal Mwale, Antipas Kamkwindo, Biselele Tshamala, Andrew Rose, Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao, Njabulo Ndlovu, Nico Nyemba, Norman Mukondiwa.

Backs: Charles Jiji, Hilton Mudariki, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Boyd Rouse, Gavin Nyawata, Stephen Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tangai Nemadire, Cleopas Makotose, Jonathan McWade, Taku Chieza, Tawanda Nkosi, Tatenda Matoramusha.