BY PAUL MUNYUKI
UGANDA have pulled out of the Junior Africa Cup and have been replaced by a Zimbabwe Select side at the Under-19 rugby tournament that is expected to kick-off on Saturday at Prince Edward School. Initially, eight national sides were expected to take part in the week-long tournament whose winner goes on to represent the continent at the 2013 edition of the Junior World Rugby Trophy set for Chile.
Zimbabwe was set to host Morocco, Madagascar, Zambia, Namibia, Tunisia, Kenyan and Uganda but the East Africans decided to withdraw from the tournament due to financial reasons.
This is not the first time that the Uganda Rugby Union is withdrawing a side from a regional competition after their senior side failed to take part in the Victoria Cup that also features Zimbabwe and Kenya.
However, the Confederation of African Rugby saw it fit that Uganda be replaced by a Select side from Zimbabwe to make sure that Pool B remains with an even number of four teams.
According to a release by Cliffie Booysen, who is the International Rugby Board general manager for Africa, Pool A remains unchanged with Namibia, Tunisia, Kenya and hosts Zimbabwe while Pool B now has Zimbabwe Select, Zambia, Kenya and former champions Namibia.
Sables assistant coach, Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge, has been appointed as coach of the select side and his charges are set to start training at Prince Edward this morning around 10am.
“We have two training sessions one at 10am and the other in the afternoon and we are going to look at the payers that took part at the trials a few weeks ago, combine them with those that would not have made it for the Young Sables.
“Some of the players had been selected earlier but we are also going to include players that took part at the Craven Week festival in South Africa because this is good exposure for the potential 2012 JWRT qualifier team.
“There is not much time to prepare though and we have to make the most out of what we have so that the young players get the much needed exposure and build them for the international stage,” said the former Harare Sports Club coach.
In the select side, Mandenge is being assisted by Sean de Souza and Mbare Academy’s Victor Pekani while Basil Dingiswayo comes in as the team manager.
The visiting teams are expected in tomorrow and reports from Zambia indicate that team manager Buuka Ntembe is impressed with the enthusiasm in his side.
“The mood is high in camp . . . the players look fit and ready for the tournament.
“The attitude of the players is right and we are looking forward to winning the tournament. Zambians should rally behind the team,” said Ntembe.
Last year’s runners up Namibia – who lost in the final to Zimbabwe for the third consecutive time – are determined they will break the jinx this time around to qualify or the JWRT.
“We look forward to making it count in Zimbabwe. We have selected the best possible team.
“We hope they do the job well and ensure we go as far as possible in order to qualify for the 2013 Junior World Cup,” Namibia coach Jood Opperman said.
Last Saturday, the Young Sables training squad played a friendly against Metro Rugby League side Edwardians where they posted a 28-7 win over the Old Hararians second string side.
However, Young Sables coach Brighton Chivandire feels the winning was not necessarily their focus.
“We were definitely checking combinations so that we get the best foot forward and give the boys a bit of game time ahead of the tournament and I am happy with what I saw in the boys but we will only name the final squad on Thursday.
“I was largely impressed with the high number of players that turned up for the Under-19 open trials at Sports Club a few weeks ago and it has both been like this before save for the fact that some Peterhouse and St John’s College boys will not be available for the tournament as they are on tour abroad.
Zimbabwe Squad
Forwards: Alva Senderayi, Robin Bhebhe, Houghton Chachona, Lazzie Chisaya, Tawanda Chowe, Dexter Ganga, Matthew Lawson, Kudakwashe Makuvire, Tariro Mashongamhende, Clive Musasiwa, Bruce Mwomzora, Thabani Ndaba, Daniel Rorke, Leroy Sibanda, Joshua Smallbones, Rees Surtees, Tapiwa Tsomondo
Backs: Richard Chigumba, Lance Chikodzi, Sean Dlamini, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Kudzai Mashawi, Luke Masasire, Bastien Mendelson, Tarisai Musakanda, Mkululi Ndhlela, Robert Sargeant, Michael Shoniwa, Michael Steel, Ian Surtees, Tinashe Toriro, Morgan Vangue.
Tagged: East Africa, Southern Africa, Sport, Uganda, Zimbabwe
