ZIMBABWE rugby team coach Cyprian Mandenge looks set to make changes to his starting lineup when he names the team to face Tunisia in their second Africa Cup Division 1A encounter against Tunisia at Prince Edward School on Saturday. BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Mandenge will have to fill the void left by the quartet of centre Rian O’Neill, lock Sanele Sibanda, flank Shingi Mpofu and eighth man Kingsley Lang, who all started in the 28-20 win over Kenya. The Sables mentor’s task is, however, made easier by the return of several key players such as Hilton Mudariki, Jacques Leitao, Norman Mukondiwa and Njabulo Ndlovu among others who all missed the first match.
“They (the new players) are quality players who will definitely add something different and it’s going to make it more difficult to come up with the final squad, but their return has been good for the competition for places in the side,” he said after yesterday’s afternoon practice session at Old Hararians Sports Club.
With O’Neill unavailable due to club commitments, Mandenge looked to have settled for the exciting uncapped centre Takudzwa Chieza and Old Georgians versatile backliner Boyd Rose as his center pairing for the must win encounter.
However, his plans were dealt a major blow after the uncapped former Young Sables skipper suffered a knee injury during Tuesday’s afternoon training session.
“It’s unfortunate Takudzwa Chieza got injured yesterday, he’s still being assessed by doctor Austin Jeans, but has been ruled out for Saturday’s match,” said Mandenge.
“He’s someone we were really looking forward to work with because we had been chasing him for a while now. We hope it’s not a serious injury because we will need him for the Namibia game and other matches going forward,” he said.
Mandenge was also left facing a crisis in midfield as veteran Cleopas Makotose, who started at first center against Kenya, suffered a head injury during Wednesday’s morning practice session.
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Although Makotose was later cleared, Mandenge could be tempted to deploy flyhalf Lenience Tambwera at center with Tichafara Makwanya starting in the number 10 jersey, partnering either Charles Jiji or Hilton Mudariki at half-back.
Makwanya was impressive from the kicking tee against Kenya and the Old Hararians man will be hoping to maintain that form on Saturday. In the absence of Lang, Norman Mukondiwa looks set to start at number eight for his first Sables cap since 2012 when he helped the national side win their maiden Africa Cup title.
Mukondiwa is fresh from an impressive season at the Cape Town-based Milnerton RFC and his work in the tight phases and at the breakdown will be a key factor for the Sables.
While no changes are expected in the front row, Mandenge could also be tempted to start with versatile forwards Njabulo Ndlovu and Biselele Tshamala as the twin locks ahead of Chipendo who struggled against Kenya.
Tunisia arrived in the capital on Tuesday from Kenya where they suffered a 46-15 defeat to Kenya in Nairobi on Sunday to almost confirm their relegation to the Division 1A after going down 14-22 to Namibia in their first match.
Zimbabwe have played the North Africans three times in 1990, 1998 and 2012 winning all three matches convincingly.
The last time the two teams met Zimbabwe comfortably won the match 14-30 enroute to winning their maiden Africa Cup crown in 2012.
