Already Morocco and Senegal together with Zimbabwe are through to the semi finals with the group comprising Kenya and Namibia yet to be decided.The games are expected to be completed by the 23rd of this month and a draw for the semi-final will follow.Zimbabwe has since started preparations for the semi-final clash that will be played during the second weekend of November.The national rugby 15s side resumed their preparations on Wednesday evening, ahead of preparatory matches lined up before they leave for Senegal next month for the semi-finals.Meanwhile, local league action will continue this week with bruised Harare Sports Club still confident of running away with the title.Holders Harare Sports Club are confident they will retain the title as the rugby season enters its final stretch this weekend.Sports Club have already sealed a semi- final place but host tricky opponents Air Force tomorrow in a match that they have to win to secure a top place finish and more importantly regain confidence after last week’s 38-17 loss to rivals District Dragons.Morale in the Sports Club camp is very low given the way they were forced to oblige to Dragons’ play type and need to win against the air man to get a timely boost ahead of the crunch playoffs next weekend.The champions’ coach, Suprain Mundenge, believes his team has a big chance of defending the title but said they need to work more as a team and regain lost confidence by beating their opponents tomorrow.“Our match against Air Force is a very important one. Though we have already qualified for the semi- final, we have plenty to play for,” said Mundenge.“Our team has been shaky in all departments of late. We need to polish our combinations and win the last match to boost our morale ahead of the playoffs.“We have plenty of good players who have the energy as well as the experience to propel us to the promised land.”On the other hand Dragons have promised that Sports Club, despite being the favourites, will not have it easy as they will put up a brave fight to land the title.Coach Brighton Chivandire is optimistic that his team will have a say in the destiny of the title this year. Dragons are second on the log standings and face Old Miltonians this weekend in a game they are treating with caution.“Every game in the league is new. We will see what happens but I hope we will win. Whoever our opponents are in the semi-final we will give them all the respect, but I hope we will do well to make it into the finals,” Chivandire said.
By Taddious Manyepo
