Zimbabwe’s senior women’s rugby team, coached by Nsikelelo Sibanda, has announced a provisional squad for the Rugby Africa Division One Women’s Tournament in Ivory Coast from April 9 to 20, competing against Uganda, Tunisia, and the hosts. Sibanda highlighted the importance of training effectively, citing limited resources. The squad includes experienced players as well as young talents from recent tournaments.
Nsikelelo Sibanda, the coach of Zimbabwe’s senior women’s rugby team, has announced the provisional squad for the Rugby Africa Division One Women’s Tournament in Ivory Coast from April 9 to 20. Zimbabwe will compete against Uganda, Tunisia, and the host nation, Ivory Coast. The tournament’s winner will secure a spot in the Rugby Africa Cup alongside South Africa, Kenya, and Madagascar.
Sibanda underscored the importance of maximizing limited time and resources, emphasizing the need for each training session to be productive. “We have very little time and resources to pull off an upset in this upcoming tournament, and the whole squad is taking every training opportunity and second on the field very seriously,” he stated.
The provisional squad features a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, highlighted by the inclusion of several Under-20 players from the recent Harare Provincial Tournament. This selection illustrates the depth of young talent such as those participating in the Harare, Manicaland, and Matabeleland Provincial Rugby Leagues.
Sibanda commented on the promising young players, saying, “This huge provisional squad includes Under-20 players who just came from the Provincial Tournaments going on and are raising their hands to play. But we will need anything close to a miracle to reach the standard we want in such a short period.”
Before heading to Ivory Coast, the Lady Sables will participate in the Nedbank Challenge Cup from March 29 to April 5, which will serve as a vital final match preparation and an opportunity to finalize the squad.
Lady Sables Extended Provisional Squad:
Forwards:
– Tarira Mugari (Fs Raiders)
– Beshious Mabute (Police)
– Vimbai Dewa (Fs Raiders)
– Ruvimbo Chigumbu (Old Hararians)
– Tariro Chinyengetere (Fs Raiders U20)
– Blessing Mvuke (Old Hararians)
– Simpiwe Gumbo (Highlanders)
– Thembelani Ndlela (Mat Warriors)
– Skumbuzo Muchenje (Zimbiru Titans)
– Mutsawashe Mwanyisa (Spartans U20)
– Mabel Murungweni (Zimbiru Titans U20)
– Sicelumsua Nyoni (Fs Raiders)
– Phyllis Chivhanga (Zimbiru Titans)
– Tendai Garapo (Old Hararians)
– Susan Madzigwara (Police Defenders)
– Trish Moko (Zimbiru Titans)
– Contana Date (Zimbiru Titans)
– Lisa Gombwe (Harare Sports Club)
– Mercy Runesu (Police Defenders)
– Natalia Nyabinde (Zimbiru Titans U20)
– Gabriella Chawatama (Fs Raiders)
– Sisasenkosi Moyo (Highlanders U20)
– Farai Museketi (Zimbiru Titans)
– Rutendo Morosi (Zimbiru Titans U20)
– Ericka Mack (Harare Sports Club)
– Tanaka Mutarumisa (Zimbiru Titans U20)
– Tariro Nyamudeza (Zimbiru Titans)
– Wadzanai Chidawa (Old Hararians)
– Hazel Njaya
– Tadiwa Chendambuya (Fs Raiders)
– Caroline Malenga (Police Defenders)
– Tadiwa Shava (Blue Bulls)
– Nyasha Gonangombe (UJ)
– Elsie Bhasi (Zimbiru Titans)
– Natasha Mutumbi (Zimbiru Titans)
– Mbalenhle Mzizi (Pumas SA)
– Andile Moyo (SA)
Backs:
– Trish Chiunze (Mat Warriors)
– Ropafadzo Muzanechita (Police Defenders)
– Kudzai Wasili (Harare Sports Club)
– Tarren Munodaani (Fs Raiders)
– Memory Moyo (Highlanders)
– Ruvarashe Muzanechita (Police Defenders)
– Pauline Sianga (Harare Sports Club)
– Delight Mukomondo
– Nokutenda Shoriwa (Fs Raiders U20)
– Chiwoniso Mabika (Fs Raiders)
– Ropafadzo Madya (Stellenbosch)
– Bridget Magaso (Zimbiru Titans)
– Lovelight Fusire (Mat Warriors)
– Cleopatra Kadimu (Harare Sports Club)
– Rufaro Tagarira (Harare Sports Club)
– Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo (Harare Sports Club)
– Robyn Mhembere (Mat Warriors)
– Kuzivakwashe Gonangombe (UJ)
– Nosta Binton (Fs Raiders)
– Kudzanai Chirinda (Fs Raiders)
– Natasha Landsberg (Police Defenders)
– Tanaka Kanyepi (Lindenwood University USA)
Lady Sables Technical Team:
– Head Coach: Nsikelelo Sibanda
– Assistant Coaches: Lovemore Kuzorera, Kimberly Marowa, Farai Makoni, Takudzwa Ngirazi, Shingirai Zhoya
– Strength & Conditioning Coach: Lucky Sithole
– Physiotherapist: Anne Butau
– Medic: Getrude Chiwisa
– Team Manager: Lindiwe Munerenyu
– Welfare Manager: Nyarai Bakasa
– Marketing/Media: Ronald Ncube, Tiffany Majero
The Zimbabwe senior women’s rugby team, known as the Lady Sables, is gearing up for the Rugby Africa Division One Women’s Tournament with a strong provisional squad comprising experienced players and promising Under-20 talents. Coach Nsikelelo Sibanda has stressed the significance of maximizing training sessions under tight timelines. Success in this tournament is crucial for qualification into the Rugby Africa Cup. This preparation, alongside the Nedbank Challenge Cup, will be pivotal in readying the team for the upcoming competition.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
