The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
REBUILDING Mutare Sports Club, fondly referred to as Shumbas, are up and ready to dismantle Masvingo Sports Club when the two sides clash at Mutare Sports Club tomorrow (Saturday).
Buoyed by recent impressive performances of their youngsters, most of whom are still novices at this stage of the competition, Mutare Sports Club will be hoping to continue with their rich vein of form and possibly end the year on a high note.
The hosts come into the match against their Masvingo counterparts with their tails high after dismissing Harare side, Zimbiru 18-12 in an exciting match played at Mutare Sports Club last week on Saturday.
Mutare Sports Club team manager, Casper ‘Belt’ Bandi is impressed with the progress his youthful side has made since the resumption of rugby action.
“I think I should praise the lads for a job well done. They have actually acquitted themselves well since we started playing. The boys showed character and a positive attitude.
“We have played five matches so far and the one against Masvingo Sports Club will be our sixth. We really want to urge all our fans and all those who love the game of rugby to throng Mutare Sports Club and witness the team finishing the year on a high note,” said Bandi.
Mutare Sports Club captain, Jones Dedza weighed in saying his team is aiming at beating their Masvingo-based opponents by a big margin.
“There is a lot of emotional focus for Saturday’s game from the players. I for one am taking it very personal, and we will be out to put a big number on the score board despite quite a number of injuries in the team. Although the game being unpredictable because we have not played this team before, I believe our young and energetic players will get the job done just like what they did last weekend when we beat Zimbiru Rugby team,” said the Mutare Sports Club captain.
Masvingo Sports Club team manager, Trouble Burukai said his team is undergoing a rebuilding phase and will be using the match against Mutare Sports Club to reflect on their strength and fortitude.
“As you might be aware, Masvingo Sports Club is on a rebuilding phase and the match against Mutare Sports Club will give us a true picture of the strength and abilities of our players.
“No one was taking seriously rugby development in Masvingo and the Covid-19 lockdowns layoff worsened things. However, we are happy that we managed to put our things together and agreed to form one team that will cater for the interests of all stakeholders in the game of rugby in Masvingo Province,” said Burukai.
