The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND Select Rugby team won the hearts and minds of many neutrals with a refined performance during the opening weekend of the Nedbank Challenge Cup in Harare last weekend.
The 2024 and third edition of the Nedbank Challenge Cup, which is featuring eight male teams and six for ladies, comes to an end this weekend.
Last year, Harare Sport Club won the cup.
Last Saturday, which was the first round of matches for the competition, the day started off with the women’s matches where five of Manicaland Province’s female players featuring in both teams, Sables A and Sables Academy.
Sables A won 50-3.
In the men’s category, Manicaland came up against Old Hararians.
Manicaland took the lead in the first 13 minutes with a penalty by Liberty Mugabe, followed by two more penalty kicks.
Old Hararians replied with an unconverted try.
They scored another converted try into the last five minutes of the half to lead 12-9 at half time.
In the second half, Manicaland opened the scoring with a try from Sean Kusena and conversion from Stephen Hunduza to have a 16-12 lead.
Soon after, Old Hararians responded with an unconverted try to take the scores to 17-16 in favour of OH.
OH managed to get a penalty straight in front of poles in Manicaland third and they obliged with a three pointer to take the game to 20–16.
That was the last time the score board ticked.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairperson, Mos Kapumha said: “This was a huge game for Manicaland Select team as it helped the provincial team to earn respect from fans from far and wide. The margin truly reflected the work put in by our lads. I can safely say this was the most exciting and closely fought game of the day.
“We are also happy that during the same event, the men’s team had their new provincial jersey unveiled by Zimbabwe National Under-20 team coach, Shaun De Souza.
“The team did a walk of honour in their new kit, thanking fans and supporters.”
On Saturday (tomorrow), the second and final round of the Nedbank Cup matches, will continue again at Harare Sports Club.
Manicaland has the opening act at 9am against Old Georgians and the Round Three match will kick-off after lunch.
Meanwhile, different schools from across the country and Manicaland included have started preparing for the Mwana Rugby competition, formerly Dairibord Rugby Festival.
The highly rated school’s rugby contest is open to all schools in the country and beyond, with participating institutions also expected to come from Malawi, Namibia and Botswana.
Manicaland will have Marist Nyanga Boys’ High, Mutare Boys’ High and Mavhudzi High schools fielding teams.
