‘These are generational talents’: Mudzekenyedzi salutes younger Sables members

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

Brandon Mudzekenyedzi during a photo-shoot after signing for the Korean Super Rugby League.

HARARE – Talismanic Zimbabwe centre Brandon Mudzekenyedzi has praised the pedigree of the team’s younger players as the Sables continue to build squad depth ahead of July’s World Cup qualifiers in Uganda.

The 28-year-old Sables midfielder is one of Zimbabwe’s key foreign-based stars that didn’t feature in the first two warm-up matches of the year, which produced huge wins over neighbours Zambia and Botswana in Harare early May.

Mudzekenyedzi has just completed his debut season in South Korea’s top-flight league, where he played alongside Zimbabwe colleague Dylan Utete for the OK Savings Bank Okman club. While flanker Utete immediately returns to national duty for the second game of the Sables’ traditional two-legged “friendly” clash with Zambia, in Lusaka on Saturday, Mudzekenyedzi will not be involved.

The ever-improving Dion Khumalo, who captained Zimbabwe in the Botswana tie in Harare, will once again start for the Sables at outside-centre in Lusaka in the absence of Mudzekenyedzi.

According to Mudzekenyedzi, the experience being gained in these preparatory games by such players as the 21-year-old Khumalo and other gifted young members of the team will hold them in good stead for July and beyond.

“These are generational talents,” Mudzekenyedzi said of the youth brigade.

“They are patriotic and honourable men. The detail and professionalism exhibited by them is exactly why they are in these conversations. We need to pay homage to people like (youth coaches) Bob Mahari and Shaun De Souza as well as entities like Kyros Sports, just to name a few, for the gems that we enjoy today. Also the (Sables) Trust, the ZRU (Zimbabwe Rugby Union) and SRC (Sports and Recreation Commission). They have facilitated growth and understanding that allow young people to be good players, and more importantly good people in society.”

Mudzekenyedzi was one of Zimbabwe’s best players in an outstanding 2024 season. The Sables ended the year with a 100 percent win record in five Test matches, which included three matches on their way to clinch the Africa Cup title in Uganda as well as two more games on an end-of-year tour of the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.

This year’s Africa Cup in Ugandan capital Kampala early July serves as the qualification competition for the next Rugby World Cup in 2027 in Australia. The Sables are pushing hard to keep the winning machine rolling in quest of a first World Cup appearance since 1991.

But Mudzekenyedzi knows that the desired 100 percent outcome in the three crucial games in Kampala will be sternly tested at every stage.

“Play the match in front of you, one step at a time,” said Mudzekenyedzi. “Control the controllables.”

Mudzekenyedzi and compatriot Utete signed for the Korean Super Rugby League three months ago after catching the eye on the Sables’ tour there in November.

“It was fast-paced rugby, you practice for hours so you have that same picture in your head,” Mudzekenyedzi said.

“The rugby was very physical, but not the most technical and tactful as expected from a young league.”

Away from rugby, time spent in Korea was thoroughly enjoyable for the Zimbabwean duo.

“As you know, South Korea is a tourist destination and you are never short of anything to do,” Mudzekenyedzi said.

“They go the extra mile to make sure you are included. This was very evident when the national side was there.”

Meanwhile, the Sables will be at their strongest so far this year when the take on the Zambians in Lusaka.

Zimbabwe welcome back young backline aces Ed Sigauke and Taku Musingwini for the Zambia trip as the Sables move a gear up in their preparations for the Kampala showdown. Sigauke will be on left wing while Musingwini slot in at fullback.

The two former national Under-20 wizards had impressive seasons with their university sides, Sigauke at Varsity College in South Africa and Musingwini with Iowa Central Community College in the United States.

Also playing for the first time this year is veteran hooker Simba Mandioma.

                                SABLES SQUAD

Starting line-up: 15 Taku Musingwini, 14 Trevor Gurwe, 13 Dion Khumalo, 12 Kudzai Mashawi, 11 Ed Sigauke, 10 Lenience Tambwera, 9 Hilton Mudariki (captain), 8 Aiden Burnett (v/captain), 7 Brian Nyaude, 6 Dylan Utete, 5. Nyasha Shiripinda, 4 David Makamba, 3 Bornwell Gwinji, 2 Simba Mandioma, 1 Tyran Fagan.

Substitutes: 16 Bryan Chiang, 17 Zvikomborero Chimoto, 18 Brian Makamure, 19 Takunda Kundishora, 20 Vuyani Dhlomo, 21 Tadiwanashe Gwashu, 22 Tyrone Gombe, 23 Tapiwa Malenga.