Sables coach Cyprian Mandenge is confident that his charges will win ahead of the Africa Cup clash against Kenya at the Prince Edward School, Harare on Saturday.
In an interview with 263Chat earlier this week Mandenge commenting on the fact that the Kenyans were out to seek revenge from the Sables for denying them a ticket to England last year.
“They (Kenyans) should get used to being beaten by us it’s not going to change and whichever team we put up is going to represent Zimbabwe with pride.
“The guys have been working hard and they are putting their bodies on the line for the country and for the love of the game and we have done enough preparations ahead of this match,” said Mandenge.
Mandenge was also pleased with the way the preparations have been going so far and he revealed that they were getting better by each day to the match-day.
“We are happy with the progress so far, we started slow but in terms of our preparations we are getting better by each day,” revealed Mandenge.
He went on to indicate that despite some players failing to turn up, he was confident that he had a solid team ahead of the crucial encounter.
“We have a solid team, in as much as we have some guys who could not make it due to various commitments and we have new guys that are coming in for the first time.
“Because it’s our first game at home in a long time we need to make the fans believe in us so we need to win the game,” revealed Mandenge.
The squad, which has been in camp since Saturday will finally been trimmed to final 23 players that will face Kenya and the team features six uncapped players.
While the Sables last played a competitive fixture last year in a 2015 Rugby World Cup playoff qualifier in Russia last year, the Kenyans hosted Portugal in Nairobi two weeks ago in match they won 41-15.
History, however, favours the Sables in this clash as they have won 11 times in the 16 matches they have played against the Kenyans since 1981.
In fact the last time the two teams met the Sables came out the victors when they beat Kenya 28-10 in a 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifier in Madagascar last year to deny the East African nation a dream ticket to England.
Sables Squad
Denford Mutamangira (Captain),Fortune Chipendo, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Lawrence Cleminson, Stephan Hunduza, Teddy Hwata, Charles Jiji, Pieter Joubert, Antipas Kamkwindo, Kinggsley Lang, Cleopas Makotose, Tichafara Makwanya, Shingai Mpofu, Farai Mudariki, Tatenda Murwira, Kudzai Murorerwa, Royal Mwale, Gardner Nechironga, Riaan Oneil, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Andrew Rose, Boyd Rouse, Sanile Sibanda, Lenience Tambwera, Biselele Tshamala
