Kenya, Uganda up preps by engaging English clubs

Sport
By ALBERT MARUFUZIMBABWE rugby’s opponents in the Victoria Cup and Africa Cup — Uganda and Kenya — will play English county sides as part of their preparations for this year’s tournaments.

The matches, to fine-tune the two teams ahead of the Victoria Cup and Africa Cup tournaments set for July, will be played on June 9 and June 16.

Notable players in the Ugandan select squad are Dan Adongo who plays for South African Super Rugby side Sharks, Eden Agero, Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, long-serving Ugandan international Alex Mubiru and Andrew Olweny.

Kenyan Ham Onsando will coach the side with Yayiro Kasasa (Uganda) and Michael Otieno (Kenya) serving as his assistants while Wangila Simiyu will be team manager.

The Brendan Dawson-coached Zimbabwe team will this year play Kenya, Tunisia and Uganda in the Confederation of African Rugby Group 1A Tournament in Tunisia in July.

In addition to the Africa Cup, the Sables will also defend their Tri-Nations Victoria Cup title which will involve Kenya and Uganda.

Team manager Lowson Mutongwizo said the Sables would leave no stone unturned in their quest to remain in Group 1A to enable them to play in next year’s 2015 World Cup qualifiers.

“We are currently negotiating with a South African franchise for a friendly match as part of the preparations. I am sure the dates will be finalised soon. There is need for us to do well in the Africa Cup and this is achievable if we get all our best players,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Sables committee chairperson Bongani Zamchiya.

“Last year we did very well to gain promotion to Group 1A and what is needed now is to keep the position,” he said.

Zimbabwe begin their defence of the Victoria Cup at home against Uganda on July 7 before travelling to Kenya the following week.

The players are currently undergoing fitness tests every Wednesday with the Harare-based players training under assistant coach Cyprian Mandenge, while those in Bulawayo train with Dawson.

The dates are as follows:July 9-15 — CAR Division 1A Tunis (Tunisia) Kenya,Tunisia,Zimbabwe and UgandaJuly 21 — Victoria Cup Zimbabwe vs. UgandaJuly 28 — Victoria Cup Kenya vs. ZimbabweAugust 4 — Victoria Cup Uganda vs. ZimbabweAugust 11 — Victoria Cup Zimbabwe vs. Kenya