The Sunday Mail
Fungayi Munyoro in Mutare
SABLES utility back Ngoni Chibuwe is impressed with how Mutare Sports Club, who lost all their matches last term, are going about business in the rugby league this season.
MSC are second on the log, with 29 points, after putting together a fairytale run during the first half of the Inter City League. The South Africa-based player, who is in Zimbabwe for a short break after the Sables’ Africa Gold Cup games, reckons his home town team is reaping the fruits of hard work.
“It’s stunning how the team has just transformed from being the whipping boys to serious title contenders,” said the 22-year-old Chibuwe who plies his trade for College Rovers.
“Seeing them occupy second position of the log makes me smile because when I came back home last year I found them in a sorry state, losing heavily.
“This season they have already beaten the saw called big teams in the league and that is a sign that the future is promising.” Chibuwe, who was snapped up by Sharks Academy at the Dairibord Rugby Festival in 2013, is backing MSC to go all the way to win the league.
“Why not? The guys have to believe that they can do it,” he said.
“They have worked hard to be where they are now but I think they know that championships are won halfway through the campaign.
“It will be a dream to win the title but even if they don’t what they have done this year is impressive.”
Meanwhile, MSC coach Mackenzie Munetsi reckons his in-form team will benefit from the three-week league break.
“I know there is a danger that it will affect our momentum on the pitch because we were on a roll when we took the break but there are other teams to consider,” said Munetsi.
“I have a lot of key players who are nursing injuries. Captain Gideon Muyambo is nursing a knee injury, so is flanker Blessing Chizaza, fullback Leon Tizora has a shoulder injury and centre Exavier Kwenda has a knee problem too.
“Against such a backdrop this break could not have come at a more opportune time, it gives my boys time to recover.”
