Mandenge fires ‘supa’ salvo

SABLES coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge has fired the opening salvo of what promises to be an entertaining rugby match between Zimbabwe and Namibia next weekend.

Meetings between the Sables and the the Welwitschias are always emotive, with the Namibians winning 27 of the last 30 ties. Zimbabwe have just three wins.

Namibia have gone to five straight IRB Rugby World Cups since their first appearance in 1999, while Zimbabwe have only two appearances, back in 1987 and 1991.

More painfully Namibia, inflicted the Sables with their heaviest defeat in international rugby - an 80-6 walloping back in 2015.

But ahead of the trip to Windhoek, Mandenge said the statistics meant little to him and warned that his Sables were up for the fight.

“I am well aware of the statistics, and the fact that they do not make for good reading,” said Mandenge. “However, in the two matches I have played against Namibia as coach, they did not beat us because they were the better team, but we lost mostly due to off-fields problems.”

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union is working hard on creating a conducive operating environment and Mandenge says the gains made so far meant Namibia would not have another stroll.

“We have done our homework on the Namibian squad, both from our match-ups against them and from how they fared against other teams. They take long to settle into a game and explode heavily in the second half; so conditioning will be key.

“We have been working with the lads, on their fitness, and we do have a game plan. If we stick to the plan, play smart rugby and utilise our chances, then victory is very much possible,” he said.

The Sables are expected to leave for Namibia on Wednesday with the likes of Jacque Leitao, Andrew Rosey, Njabulo Ndlovu, Kingsely Lang, Antipas Kamukwindo and Jan Ferreira in the squad.