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performance to beat the Cranes of Uganda 25-15 in the Africa Cup tri-nations rugby tournament in Kampala yesterday.
Trailing 10-8 at halftime, Zimbabwe were able to but up a better performance in the second period where they scored 17 points and allowed the hosts only five more points.
Last year in the Victoria Cup at the same venue Zimbabwe lost 24-15 but they were able to turn the tables as they had 10 players who travelled to the East African country in a losing cause last year. Zimbabwe scored their first try through winger Tangai Nemandire in the eighth minute but the conversion by Old Hararians flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya went wide. Makwanya added a penalty with five minutes before the break and this saw the Sables trail Uganda who had managed 10 points by the end of the first half.
But the Sables were not done and coach Brandon Dawson made two substitutions at half time – Shingi Mpofu and Prayer Chitenderu for Jan Ferreira and Devon Esbach.
According to manager Nody Kanyangarara this stabilised their pack as they were playing on a wet field following rains just before the game kicked off.
“The Ugandans were the first to get settled and for the better part of the first half we were playing second fiddle.
“But the substitutions were enough to strengthen our side especially in the forwards where our lineouts were not good and we struggled in that aspect of the game.
“A good example would be when they mauled us from a lineout just outside our 22 and they scored a try because we were not good at the mauls and rucks.
“But Charles Jiji had a good debut for the Sables and he was good throughout the game . . . he has a great fighting spirit and with his small frame he was not worried about the big boys from Uganda,” said Kanyangarara.
However, Dawson was forced to make two substitutions following injuries as Nemadire suffered a concussion following a clash with his opposite number while centre Cleopas Makotose was pulled out after pulling his quadriceps. Eight minutes into the second half, prop Denford Mutamangira was back to haunt the Cranes as he planted another try and Makwanya was on target with his boot.
Dynamic winger Gardner Nechironga added another five points ten minutes later before Makwanya converted and a drop goal by the Old Boys flyhalf saw the Sables extend the lead. But it was deep in added time that Uganda scored a try off a maul but it was too late for the hosts to salvage a win as the Sables had already done the damage.