Sables back Warriors
AFTER uniting for a common cause in the Namibian capital Windhoek last weekend, the Zimbabwebabwe rugby and soccer will join forces in supportingg each other on home soil when the Warriors take onn Namibia in an 2018 African Nations Championship secondecond round qualifier at the National Sports Stadium thishis afternoon.
Last Saturday saw the Sunday Chidzambwa-bwa-coached Warriors on the terraces to support the Cyprian Mandenge-mentored Sables in their Rugby Africa Gold Cup fixture against Namibia at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium, a match the Namibianss won 31-26. The following day, the Warriors lost Warriorsriors lost 1-0 to the Brave Warriors in the Chan qualifier first round, first leg at the Windhoek’s Sam Nujoma Stadium. The Sables however, could not immediatelyy return the favour to their soccer counterparts sincee their flight back home was before the Warriors match.h.
ZRU chief executive officer, Blessing Chiutare said the Sables have undertaken to leave Bulawayo for Harare this morning so that they can bee on time to watch the Warriors against Namibia. The Sables played against Kenya in their third match in the Gold Cup at Hartsfield Rugby Ground yesterday.
“The boys said they are leaving Bulawayoyo on Sunday morning for Harare so that they can be therehere to watch the Warriors against Namibia. This is their way of thanking the soccer guys for their supportpport against Namibia,’’ said Chiutare who is also goingoing for the Warriors match.
He indicated that it is their endeavour too support any other national team that is raising the Zimbabwean imbabwean flag high in any sport.
“The war for national pride is fought on many fronts and supporting the Warriors or otherer sports codes is supporting the troops currently in that fight to raise our flag high. One country,y, one flag, one love, same pride,’’ Chiutare said.
Zimbabwe, who have qualified for all previous editions of the Chan tournament ent since it started in 2009 need to overhaulul Namibia’s score line if they stand a chance of making it to the finals of the tournament meant for players plying their trade in their local leagues set for Kenya next year.
For the Sables, they have to remain the elite six-team Gold Cup heading into next year in order to stand a chance of qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. After yesterday’s fixture against Kenya, Zimbabwe clash with Tunisia at Prince Edward’s Jubilee Field on Saturday before they play Uganda away on 5 August.