Zimbabwe national rugby team captain Hilton Mudariki believes the Sables can defy the odds and beat Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup semi final in France on Wednesday night.
Zimbabwe have only beaten Namibia on three occasions in 33 meetings but Mudariki is optimistic of turning the tables and move closer to qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1991. The last time that Zimbabwe beat Namibia was in 2001.
” We look forward to the challenge that is ahead of us. We can’t wait to get up there on Wednesday night. We know that they are a quality outfit but we are equally geared up for the match,” Mudariki said.
” We look back at our performance against Ivory Coast taking the positives and we also managed to work on the grey areas that we noted against Ivory Coast hoping to improve against Namibia. We are ready for the challenge and looking forward to progressing to the final.”
Zimbabwe coach Brendan Dawson made four changes to the team that won 38-11 against Ivory Coast in the semi finals as he aims for physicality upfront while at the same time reserving some players to add firepower later in the match considering that the Sables ran out of steam in towards the end in their last meetings against Namibia.
Experienced Tapiwa Tsomondo comes in for Kelvin Kanenungo while the trio of loose head prop Tyran Fagan, hooker Mathew Mandioma and tighthead prop Cleopas Kundiona will be tasked with laying the foundation against the physical Namibians.
The winners of the Rugby Africa Cup will automatically qualify for 2023 Rugby World Cup to be held in France. Namibia have qualified for the last seven consecutive times.
Sables Starting Line-Up (1-15):
Tyran Fagan, Matthew Mandioma, Cleopas Kundiona, Sean Beevor, Godfrey Muzanagrwo, Jason Fraser, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Nyasha Tarusenga, Hilton Mudariki (captain), Marcus Nel, Shingirai Katsvere, Takudzwa Chieza, Matthew McNab, Shayne Makombe, Tapiwa Mafura
Replacements: Liam Larkan, Victor Mupunga, Bornwell Gwinji, Godwin Mangenje, Kelvin Kanenungo, Kyle Golloway, Takudzwa Musingwingi, Ngoni Chibuwe.
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