Zim ready to host Group B rugby event

ZIMBABWE is all set to host four Group B fixtures of the 2019 edition of the rugby Under20 Barthés Trophy in Harare on April 17 at The Machinery Exchange Stadium, Harare Sports Club.

The Junior Sables, Zimbabwe’s Under-20 side, will host Cote d’Ivoire, while Morocco face Madagascar at the same venue.

Harare Sports Club will host the remaining two fixtures on April 20, with the losers playing the first match, while the winners play in the second match.

The Barthes comprises 12 teams and is the only Rugby Africa junior tournament. Namibia were the overall winners in the 2018 Barthes Cup based on a superior aggregate.

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.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice-president Losson Mtongwiza is upbeat about Zimbabwe’s possibility of qualifying.

“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 calibre 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.

Zimbabwe will be coached by Farai “Bob” Muhari and Jeffrey Madhake, the same pair that has led local Under-21 champions the Pitbulls to three championships.

Their team has also won all its matches in the past three years.

Up-and-coming stars have risen from the ranks of the Under-20 set up to the senior national team, the Sables. Among others are Matthew Mc Nab, Jeremiah Jaravaza and Cleopas Kundiona, who got their first Test caps in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup after impressive performances in the 2018 edition.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Barthes tournament with two Group A matches taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, where Namibia host Senegal and Tunisia face Kenya.

The winner of Pool C will be promoted to Pool B, the winner of Pool B will be promoted to 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 lose their place to a new team in 2020.

Uganda and Ghana will open the Group C round of matches in Kampala followed by Algeria and Zambia