Dawson heartbroken

FORMER Zimbabwe 15s rugby team coach Brendan Dawson is pained by the relegation of the Sables from the elite Africa Cup Division 1A which has put a dent in the country’s chances of qualifying for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Dawson, coach of the Sables from 2007 up to the beginning of last year said himself and others who worked hard for the team to be where it was were heartbroken with the development. The former Sables loose forward and captain expressed hope that the situation will be quickly rectified.

“I am really disappointed with what we were and where we have gone to. My hopes are that something can come right, all the people are sad because of the hard work that was put into getting the team to where it was,’’ said Dawson.

On whether he would consider a return to take charge of the Sables in future, Dawson pointed out that certain things have to change for that to happen without elaborating.

Dawson took over the Sables from Christopher Lampard when Zimbabwe were ranked 59th in the world and when his job was given to his assistant Cyprian Mandenge they were the 25th best team in the world. His biggest achievement was winning the 2012 Africa Cup, a 22-18 triumph over Uganda in the final played in Tunisia.

The Sables were demoted to Africa Cup last weekend when they were beaten 34-27 by Uganda at Police Grounds in Harare, their second loss in this year’s competition after a 61-15 humiliation at home by Kenya.

With Kenya facing Uganda yesterday and Zimbabwe going away to Namibia on Saturday, the Sables lay bottom of the log with just a point from the loss to the Cranes.

Last Saturday’s defeat saw Zimbabwe slide down to number 36 in the world.