Sables skipper, Mudariki, wary of Uganda

MICHAEL KARIATI

Hilton Mudariki, captain of Zimbabwe’s national 15s rugby team – the Sables – stated that the opening match of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup against hosts Uganda on Saturday at the Mandela National Stadium in Naamboole, Kampala, is not going to be easy.

The continental showcase in Uganda serves as the first stage of qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

The Sables goes into the Uganda game knowing fully well that a loss in this match may severely hurt their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

Mudariki does not despise East Africans, even though Uganda is ranked sixth in Africa and lower than Zimbabwe, which is ranked second.

“This game is not a walk over. Uganda are a strong side and we should go into this match ready to prevent an upset,” warns Mudariki.

Piet Benade’s team needs to avoid making a mistake, as the Sables had failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in the previous eight editions  with their last chance occuring in 1991.

Apart from Mudariki, the Sables boasts of seven players Victor Mpunga, Cleopas Kundiona,  Aiden Burnett, Bornwell Kwinjj, Hilton Mudariki, Tapiwa Mafura, and Takudzwa Mushingini  who were part of the 2022 Africa Cup squad in France.

Zimbabwe Sevens team captain Kudzi Mashawi has also been roped into the 15s side to add guile to the squad in a competition that is on knockout basis.

The winner between Zimbabwe and Uganda will sail through to the semi finals while the losing side will be eliminated.

World Cup finalists Namibia will get the ball rolling against Burkina Faso also on Saturday while Kenya will entertain Senegal and Algeria are up against the Ivory Coast on Sunday at the Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku.

The final on July 29 will be at the Mandela National Stadium Namboole and hopefully the Sables will be one of the two participants.