Paul Munyuki Harare Bureau
SABLES captain Denford “Dedzva” Mutamangira feels there is nothing special about Tunisia and does not want to be the first captain to lose to the North Africans when the two sides clash this afternoon at Prince Edward School.

Kickoff is 3.30pm and hosts Prince Edward will play St George’s College as the main curtain raiser.

The two sides will battle it out at the Jubilee Field, which was full to capacity the last time the Sables played at home, and Tunisia are trying to avoid relegation from the Rugby Africa Cup Group 1A.

The Sables are aiming to maintain a winning run and keep their hopes for the African title alive.

Zimbabwe and Tunisia have only met three times before, the last being in 2012 when the Sables beat Tunisia in the final of the Africa Cup exactly two years ago in Tunis, defeating the hosts 30-14 in the competition’s semi-final.

Then they were under the captaincy of Constantine “Costa” Dinha who is now one of the assistant coaches, Brandon Dawson was the coach and Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge was the assistant to Dawson.

And, in the squad that will do duty today, there are a number of players that were part of the squad that beat Tunisian three years ago.

Among them are coach Mandenge, prop Mutamangira, flankers Jacques Leitao and Norman Mukondiwa, Fortune Chipendu, fly-halves Tichafara Makwanya and Lenience Tambwera and the backline quartet of Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire, Charles Jiji and centre Cleopas Makotose.

This could be an advantage to Zimbabwe as more than half the squad have played Tunisia before and they know their rivals.

“Really, I would not say that they have anything special but that does not mean that we have to underrate them, in fact we must guard against complacency because they will be fighting very hard to come out with a win,” said Mutamangira.

“We have never lost to Tunisia, be it at home or away, and we would like to maintain that record, make sure we not only win but win big in front of our fans and that would be wonderful.

“Against Kenya the supporters were the extra man, the extra player we needed and they helped us play well so, definitely, we are going to need their support again tomorrow (today).

“I watched them (Tunisia) play Kenya and they proved to be a strong team, the result was not a true reflection of how they play. Their forwards are quite strong and are good with the ball in hand.

“So, as Zimbabwe, we have to minimise or make sure that we do not concede any penalties in our own half because they have a very good kicker as well.”

Tunisia are the only side that is yet to win a game in Group 1A having lost to Namibia and Kenya and a defeat at the hands of the Sables this afternoon will see them relegated to Group 1B for next year’s competition.

Mandenge has made only two changes to the backline that started against Kenya two weeks ago opting for more pace with winger Nechironga starting from the bench, Stephan “Stavo” Hunduza and Boyd Rouse in the starting XV.

No change has been made to the front row, Mutamangira, Royal Mwale, Farai Mudariki maintaining their places, Biselele Tshamala and Njabulo Ndlovu coming in at lock while Andy Rose is the only one to maintain his place in the loose trio.

“It’s good that we have equally good players replacing those that were here last time because they are all quality players and there is an advantage in that we get to show or test the depth we have as Zimbabwe,” said Mutamangira..

“But, overally, I feel that we have improved compared to the way we played against Kenya as we have worked on our mistakes and definitely attitude is what will win the game for us.

“It’s something we have put an emphasis on during camp and that we also have a high work rate.

“I’m happy of the current weather conditions because the last time we played Tunisia at their home the temperatures were very high.”

Sables Starting XV

15-9: Tangai Nemadire, Stephan Hunduza, Boyd Rouse, Cleopas Makotose, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tichafara Makwanya, Charles Jiji,1-8: Denford Mutamangira (captain), Royal Mwale, Farai Mudariki, Biselele Tshamala, Njabulo Ndlovu, Norman Mukondiwa, Jacques Leitao, Andrew Rose.

Substitutes: Kevin Nqindi, Nico Nyemba, Fortune Chipendu, Lawrence Cleminson, Tatenda Murwira, Hilton Mudariki, Lenience Tambwera, Gardner Nechironga.

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