THE Young Sables resume their training camp today in preparation for the Confederation of Africa Rugby Under-19 Cup to be held in Nelspruit, South Africa.
REPORT BY ALBERT MARUFU
The tournament, which also doubles up as the 2014 Junior World Rugby Trophy (JWRT) qualifier, runs from August 26-31.
Team manager Blessing Chiutare said four of the 34 players have pulled out of camp but the squad is still strong to challenge for the sole ticket to the JWRT.
“We are now going into the final two weeks of our preparations. The first training camp starts on Sunday [today] and ends on Wednesday. We will then take a break and resume training on August 17 until we depart for the tournament.
“We started off with 73 players whom we reduced to 40 and then 34. Now we have 30 players after four withdrew through injuries. From the 30 players, 24 will make the travelling squad,” he said.
Chiutare added the current crop had enough pedigree to win the title which Zimbabwe lost at home to Namibia last year.
“The squad we have is very strong and I am sure they will win the title,” he said.
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Chiutare, however, might be short of experience in his squad as Old Georgians’ Lance Chikodzi is the only survivor from last year’s expedition in which the team lost to Namibia in the final.
The Young Sables are caged in the same pool as Madagascar, Kenya and Namibia and take on Madagascar while Kenya plays Namibia in the semi-finals.
The winners of each of the games will proceed to the final while the losers would meet in a relegation battle unlike in the past where all the teams played in a round robin format with the winner of the group making it for the JWRT finals.
Young Sables Squad: T Muringani (Peterhouse), T Chipadza (Watershed), H Chachona (Allan Wilson), T Mujeni (St Georges), T Dhliwayo (Watershed), C Jaisile (Mutare Sports Club), P Zvarivadza (Watershed), K Nhira (St Johns Emerald Hill), B Scheepers (Falcon College), A Mataga (Harare Sports Club), M Gazimbi (Midlands Christain College), S Roche (Hellenic), N Tanyanyiwa (Eaglesvale), L Sibanda (Old Georgians), C Moyo, A Senderayi (Old Georgians), T Gwisai (Midlands Christian College), S Mwayera (Eaglesvale), I Nyakamadza (Churchill), R Gona (St Johns College), T Musakanda (Prince Edward), T Kumadiro (Churchill), M Maparura (Peterhouse), N Chibuwe (Hillcrest), M Vangue (Prince Edward), L Chikodzi (Old Georgians), L Mudzova (Dale College, SA), M Dhlela (Churchill), B Ruzvidzo (Eaglesvale), T Francisco (Vainona), B Mendelsohn (Sharks Academy, SA). Coach: Nsikelelo Sibanda Assistant: Geoff Madhake Manager: Blessing Chiutare