BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby coach Shaun De Souza has named an enlarged squad in preparation for defence of the Young Sables’ Africa Cup title in Kenya in April.
Zimbabwe were crowned African Under-20 champions in the East African country last April after beating bitter rivals Namibia in the final, earning themselves a berth at the Junior World Rugby Trophy later this year.
Kenya will once again host the continent’s Under-20 championship, known as the Barthes Trophy.
Former Old Hararians and Zimbabwe ace De Souza, who guided the Young Sables to their first title in a decade last year, has stressed the importance of beginning preparations early and has labelled the provisional group a “high-performance squad.”
De Souza will be without a few of his star players from last year, who are now above the stipulated age group. Some of the prominent players not returning this year is the triumphant captain from the class of 2022, Takudzwa Musingwini, and his deputy Tomuvonga Msasanure.
Notable returnees this year include the trio of loose-forward Tanaka Ndoro as well as utility backs Tawanda Matipano and Brendon Marume, who are all now based in the United Kingdom.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Forwards: Happias Zhou, Tadiwanashe Marumisa, Farai Madzima*, Rogers Tayengwa, Takunda Mudzingwa, Munashe Ndhlela, Giordano Sarpo, Tamuka Kambani*, Tawananyasha Bwanya, Shingi Manyarara*, Tashinga Makiwa, Kelvin Kaseke, Godfrey Zvinavashe, Tafadzwa Gwaza, Kudakwashe Gotora, Tadiwa Chimwada, Gerry Zisengwe, Martin Hakunavanhu*, Bryan Chiang*, Takudzwa Zvomuya, Darryl Mwenso, Tanaka Gondo-Mukandapi, Allan Mawunga, Vincent Chimwendo, Muzuva Gutu, Prince Chinyadura, Tendai Maruma*, Tinotenda Matimbira, Joseph Benning, Ryan Mckenzie*, Nqobile Manyara, Gealan Jaricha, Gamaliel Munembe, Stanley Muranganwa*, Tadiwa Mazanhi, Jackson Munyaka, Huntley Materson, Leo Mutendi, Hagler Muchenji, Tanaka Ndoro*, Tadiwa Gwaraba, Mwaita Makanza*, Takudzwa Kamucheta, Panashe Taderera.
Backs: Panashe Zuze, Brendon Marume*, Alex Nyamuda, Kudakwashe Nyamushaya, Tadiwanashe Unganai, Edward Sigauke, Panashe Mugorogodi, Simbarashe Kanyangarara, Tadiwa Ngirazi, Cole Musanigwa, Shadrick Mandaza, Benoni Nhekairo, Dion Khumalo, Tanaka Chinyanga, Dereck Karuma, Munotida Marimirofa*, Oliver Masara, Tawanda Matipano*, Nigel Siabwanda, Damien Moyo, Welton Charumbira*, Kholwani Moyo, Jerome Sagomba*, Kelton Kaseke, Vuyani Ncube, Brendan Jameson, Taona Mapani, Mbekezeli Siziba, Callon Matsikira.
*Denotes players based outside Zimbabwe.
