The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE Sports Club and Old Crestonians product, Josiah Borerwe (Jnr), believes that the recent success in the African Championship, widely known as the Barthes Trophy, has instilled confidence in the Young Sables, and should be used as a stepping stone to much bigger things such as snatching the coveted global silverware — the World Cup.
The Rugby Africa Barthes Trophy carried a ticket to play at next year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy competition, but Zimbabwe are still waiting for Rugby Africa to confirm this year’s qualification.
Scores of jubilant parents and rugby fans screamed with joy, danced and sang at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Independence Day as Zimbabwe’s Young Sables, who lifted the Rugby Africa Cup Under-20 Barthes Trophy in Kenya, returned home to a heroes’ welcome.
The victorious squad, coaches and officials arrived before midday, a few hours after they made the nation proud by beating Namibia 19-14 in the finals to win the continental competition.
The victory by the Class of 2022 is Zimbabwe’s fourth continental win at the Under-20 level and their first since winning three successive titles between 2009 and 2011.
Borerwe said: “Being part of the Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby team which won the African Championship (Barthes Trophy) was an honour and a privilege. It was one of my biggest achievements to date.
“This tournament was not easy at all, but was a combination of determination, courage and appreciation of all the work which was done behind the scenes by our parents, coaches and sponsors culminating in this resounding success.”
The youngster, who has so much respect for both Mutare Sports Club and Old Crestonians — two clubs that helped nurture his talent — spoke about the experiences in Kenya.
“During the tournament, our first game was against Tunisia and we won 19 – 18, the second match against Madagascar was even more successful with a win of 33-3 and the finals against Namibia ended with us winning 19-14.
“This resulted in our qualification for the Junior World Cup in 2023. We have confidence in our ability to clinch the World Cup. During the tournament in Nairobi, I attribute our success to the strategic coaching styles of our coaches as well as team work and collaboration of all players.
“The Young Sables were able to work together in sync as one entity, proving that: “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Without this synergy, success would not have been achieved,” said Borerwe.
He heartily thanked his parents, coaches and the two clubs — MSC and Old Crestonians — for shaping his career.
“The season has been very positive for me, but unfortunately things took a turn when I picked an ankle injury during training before the games which resulted in me playing limited games. During the semi-finals against Madagascar, I played as a winger and this contributed tremendously to the Sables’ 33-3 win.
“For me to be where I am today, I attribute this to my parents, coaches and the clubs I have played for,” he said.
He urged fellow young players to keep their eyes on the prize.
“To all high school boys in Manicaland who think it is impossible to make it into the Zimbabwe Under-20 squad, they just need to keep their grind up and it will pay off,” he said.
Borerwe started off trying out for the Under-14 team in 2016 and although he could not make it, this nonetheless, did not dampen his spirit as he kept his hopes high and never stopped working on the extra mile up until he was invited for the Under-20 trials.
By this time, it had taken four years of not succeeding to finally make it.
Borerwe said: “We are still too young to give up on our talents and dreams. Success is within reach if we continue keeping our eyes on the reward.”
