It remains to be seen if veteran Sables lock Constantine “Costa” Dinha will come out of retirement to serve the country ahead of the international season after he was named in the senior national rugby side’s training squad on Thursday.

Dinha was the biggest surprise inclusion in the 40-man Sables squad for the Africa Cup game against Kenya but the Old Hararians forward says he wants out, while other top players have turned down coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge’s call-ups.

“I am having a problem with my knee currently and if they say they are not able to find anyone who can fill in my shoes, then there I could come back. There are other young players like Antipas (Kamkwindo), Jan (Ferreira) and I have not been approached because I retired,” added Dinha.

The former Sables captain retired from international rugby two years ago and last year he was part of the technical team where he helped out in the forwards but 38-year-old was yesterday named in the 40-member Sables squad.

“I have had my chance with the Sables. I feel there is a number of youngsters who are can come though, there might be need for a jumper but I feel the young players should also be trained for that as well,” said Dinha.

Fortune Chipendu, Jan Ferreira, Biselele Tshamala, Martin Wolfenden, Sanele Sibanda and Dinha are the specialist locks that have been included in the Sables squad released yesterday.

However, Mandenge believes Dinha still has something to offer despite his age given the form he has been on the domestic front.

“In the domestic scene he is one of the players who are performing very well compared with the other players we have. There are a lot of youngsters we have also named in the squad alongside his name so it is not like he has already been named in the final squad, no one has been guaranteed a jersey yet,” said Mandenge.

Sables Training Squad

Forwards: Denford Mutamangamira, Farai Mudariki, Kevin Nqindi, Pieter Jourbet, Brain Makamure, Keith Murray, Simba Mandioma, Graham Cochrane, Jan Ferreira, Martin Wolfenden, Sanele Sibanda, Costa Dinha, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao, Alva Senderayi, Njabulo Ndlovu, Biselele Tshamala, Kingsley Lang, Tawanda Chowe, Tafadzwa Nyamugama.

Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Charles Jiji, Josh Gando, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Boyd Rouse, Riaan O’Neill, Manasah Sita, Ngoni Chibuwe, Gavin Nyawata, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Steven Hunduza, Kuda Chiwanza, Shayne Makombe, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Lungile Tshuma, Shingi Katsvere.