The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
Zambia…………………………………………………. 5
Zimbabwe……………………………………………. (20) 41
AN ecstatic Tonderai Chavhanga was left speechless after the Zimbabwe Sables lifted the Victoria Cup yesterday, courtesy of a bonus point crushing 41-5 victory over hapless Zambia in Lusaka.
They did so with a game to spare.
A brace from Cleopas Kundiona, a try apiece from captain Hilton Mudariki, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Dudlee White Sharpley, Martin Mangongo and Blithe Mavesere, saw the team getting a bonus point victory. Sharpley, Mudariki and Jeremiah Jaravaza shared the kicking duties with the trio adding a conversion each, while Sharpley also added a penalty. Still finding his feet in the terrains of rugby coaching, assistant coach Chavhanga paid tribute to his troops who put up a near-perfect performance, particularly in defence. “Look as far as the game is concerned, we are all pretty chaffed and thrilled that we have won the Victoria Cup,” said the 35-year-old. “If we go back to the very beginning of this journey, it was one of our primary goals to win this cup. The boys played with a lot of heart and that made this win so special.
“The boys maintained their structure and imposed the size, which was a big positive. The game was very physical and our defence was totally outstanding.
“We managed to get some turnovers, we did not leak that many tries and it’s been pretty awesome to see and bear witness to how the guys have grown week by week and game by game,” he said.
Apart from clinching the cup, the win means the Sables maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament, which now stands at five matches. Chavhanga hopes that the team will wrap up its participation in this tournament with another victory in Kenya to finish the entire competition unbeaten. “As we celebrate clinching the cup, it is important to note that the job is not done yet,” said the former Springbok winger. “We still have Kenya to prepare for, and we want to finish the competition strong and without a single defeat,” he said. The triumph also came as great news for the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, whose president Aaron Jani sent out his congratulatory message to the team in Zambia.
“I am very proud of the team and the technical staff, we have come a long way. This is just the beginning.
“Winning is a culture and a good habit, the more we practice this habit, the better we will be. This positive mind will take us far,” Jani said.
