Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice-president, Losson Mtongwiza is upbeat Zimbabwe will be promoted to the top class, Group A ahead of the upcoming Under 20 Barthés Trophy.
Zimbabwe will host four group B fixtures of the 2019 edition Under 20 Barthés Trophy in Harare. The Barthes Trophy comprises of 12 teams and is the only Rugby Africa junior tournament.
Mtongwiza believes Zimbabwe has what it takes to be promoted into the elite group judging by the calibre of players within the side’s ranks.
“Judging from the level of commitment and the serious competition we have had in the Harare Provincial Under-20 league, I am sure we have a good chance of being promoted this year.”
“The caliber of players we have produced have had senior national team coaches looking at the boys and I have no doubt that the team’s management will continue their fine performance,” said Mtongwiza.
The Junior Sables, Zimbabwe’s Under-20 side will host Ivory Coast at 14:00 hours while Morocco face Madagascar on the same field at 17:00 hours on 17 April 2019.
Loser 1 and 2 will play in the first match while the winners play in the second match.
This year’s edition is composed of three ranking-based groups in which each team will play two matches.
For Zimbabwe qualification will mean promotion from Group B into the Group A.
However, the Barthes tournament starts today with two group A matches taking place in Nairobi, Kenya where Namibia hosts Senegal with Tunisia facing Kenya.
The winner of the Pool C will be promoted in Pool B, the winner of Pool B will be promoted in Pool A, the loser of Pool A will be relegated to Pool B, the loser of Pool B will be relegated to Pool C, and the loser of Pool C will create room for a new team in 2020.
The losers and winners will play-off on the 7th and determine which team will be relegated.
Uganda and Ghana will open Group C round of matches in Kampala followed by Algeria versus Zambia
