eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
It will be a mountain to climb for the Sables this weekend when they clash with tournament favourites Namibia in the Rugby African Gold Cup qualifiers at Hartsfield Rugby Stadium in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe have failed to win three of their Gold Cup fixtures so far following a home draw with Morocco, who only earned their Gold Cup status this year before two consecutive defeats in the hands of Kenya and Tunisia.
This weekend’s opponent ran riot at the Hage Geingob in Windhoek to hammer hapless Tunisia 118-0 and stretch their points tally to 10, eight more than Zimbabwe and the Namibians pose a serious threat to the Sables’ ambitions.
This was the Southern Africa country’s second biggest win following the 55-5 win against Uganda Rugby Cranes.
It is the manner in which Namibia are hammering opponents that puts into perspective the tough task that awaits the Sables in the City of Kings.
Sables’ captain, Denford Mutamangira, says pride is at stake and he wants his charges to be focused and play to their best ability.
“It’s going to be a tough one but we are ready. Just like any competition, we are prepared and we want to win at all costs. Namibians are a good side but we will play for points. Pride is also at stake when we face them on home grounds and we can’t afford to disappoint our fans,” he said.
The Peter De Villiers’ men are now in danger of relegation from the Gold Cup should they finish bottom of the log in the six-team competition, after a 5th place finish last year.
“Peter is under pressure and he has changed his squad. It’s a combination of old and uncapped players. He is challenging the remaining players to fill the void,” a source confirmed.
The Business Weekly Sports can confirm also that Daniel Hondo is now on board as the new back line coach.
De Villiers has added players who were part of team in the Rugby Sevens namely Shayne Makombe, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
A Germany-based player, Kamkwindo Antipas has joined the team replacing South Africa-born lock forward Jannie Stander
The Gold Cup is played on a round robin, basis which conclude on Aug 18 with the winner not only being crowned Gold Cup winner, but also qualifying for the 2019 World Cup, which will take place in Japan. Only one team will qualify automatically for the tournament while the runner up will have another chance at a repachage play-offs reserved for the team, which finishes second in the Gold Cup later this year.
The winner of the Gold Cup will qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as Africa 1, joining defending champions New Zealand, South Africa, Italy.
Zimbabwe will round up their Gold Cup campaign with an away match to Uganda on August 18.
All matches will be live on Kwesé Sports 1.
