Zimpapers Logo

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
THE Young Sables dream of making it for the Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament suffered a huge blow yesterday when they lost 20-27 to Kenya at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
This is the second time, in as many years, that coach Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda and his men have been pushed out of the Junior Africa Cup by Kenya having lost in the opener last year in Nelspruit, South Africa.

Zimbabwe will play in third place play-off tomorrow against Tunisia and they have to win this game if they are to remain in the JWRT qualifier group for next year’s Junior Africa Cup. The last time Zimbabwe made it for the JWRT was in 2011 when they beat Namibia and qualified for the United States edition under the guidance of coach Brighton Chivandire who is now Sables team manager.

The experienced front row, which included prop Farai Mudariki who played for the Sables in the World Cup Qualifiers in Madagascar and Russia, Gabriel Sipapate from Churchill, former Under-18 Craven Week players Jabulani Mutukwa and Thabani Mujeni, failed to help Zimbabwe beat Kenya.

Squad
Thabani Munjeni (captain), Farai Mudariki (vice captain), Hugo de La Fargue (vice captain), Gabriel Sipapate, Kudakwashe Chipunza, Thulani Dhliwayo, Tanaka Zimuto, Kudakwashe Nhira, Brian Nyaude, Newton Tanyanyiwa, Ivan Bawden, Shephard Mhembere, Dlelo Velempini, Tinashe Gwisai, Sean Mwayera, Nyasha Chinorwadza, Tafadzwa Mukonyora, Courtney Archer, Shane Snater, Tawanda Ngosi, Sean Coles, Jabulani Mutukwa, Godknows Mawara.
Asst Coach backline – Marvin Chirume.
Asst Coach forwards – Jeff Madhaki.
Manager – Blessing Chiutare.