‘It gives us enough to work on’: Makwanya refuses to downplay Zambia’s strength

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

HARARE – Sables team manager Tichafara Makwanya says Zambia’s much improved performance in their narrow 25-19 loss to Zimbabwe in Lusaka on Saturday shows that they are worthy opponents in preparation for next month’s World Cup qualification competition in Uganda.

The Zambians recovered from a heavy 70-15 defeat to Zimbabwe early May to nearly upset an even stronger Sables side at the Leopards Hill Polocrosse Club on Saturday. But some question marks have been raised over the quality of the opposition being faced by the Sables – compared with their main rivals Namibia and Kenya – in the warm up for the World Cup qualifiers in Kampala between 8 and 19 July.

Kenya last week arrived in South Africa for a one-month high-performance programme while Namibia will host Italy on 28 June to fine-tune for the Kampala battle. But the Zambians deserve some respect for their performances, according to Makwanya.

“Look, people always say it’s only Zambia because they look at the rankings and they look at the scoreline from the first match we played in Harare,” Makwanya told SportsCast on Saturday.

“But to be able to come back like they did today, to be within our score, is quite remarkable. It just shows what happens when people put in the work, which they have done. So ja, you can only judge yourself by playing what’s in front of you. So you take it on the chin, it gives us enough to work on and build on.”

Zambia engaged Australian Mike Bishop and Kenyan Dickson Odhiambo, on consultant coaching basis, for the Sables clash on Saturday. Makwanya remarked that the Zambians were a totally different outfit on Saturday and came out with guns blazing, giving the Sables some key takeaways.

“It was just one of those days,” Makwanya said. “Our penalty count was extremely high. It’s obviously stuff to look at going forward, to sort of try rectify it. We can’t put the blame on anyone but ourselves. I think the boys did well.”

The former Old Hararians and Sables star flyhalf named some of the Sables’ most outstanding players from the Lusaka tie.

“(Hooker, Bryan) Chiang built on his super performances in the past,” said Makwanya.

The Sables pose for a team photo ahead of their clash with Zambia on Saturday.

“(Flanker) Dylan Utete was also quite busy. (Lock, Nyasha) Shiripinda as well. LT (flyhalf Lenience Tambwera) obviously showing his class. And (inside-centre, Kudzai) Mashawi back in the side, some good carries, some good defence. The back three – (fullback, Taku) Musingwini, (Trevor) Gurwe and (Ed) Sigauke (wingers) – was also very good, kept them busy. The Sables are quite ready for the qualifiers. Obviously not optimum, there will be camp for a few weeks as we prepare for those qualifiers. Then definitely by the time we get to Uganda we will be nice and primed, ready to give it our best shot.”