Newly appointed Young Sables coach Bob Mahari believes there is great need for him to work closely with national senior men’s rugby team coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge if the Sables are to conquer Africa.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union yesterday announced that Mahari has replaced Brandon Brider following a failed Under-20 World Rugby Trophy campaign two months ago compounded by the fact that the St George’s College coach dropped out of the elite Level Three coaching certificate.

“Brider had his vision on where he wanted to take junior rugby and as his assistant had to push in that direction as well. But I believe there is need to combine the old and the new so I have to sit down with Cyprian (Mandenge) and get feedback as to what he expects on player coming into the Sables from the Under-20.

“We have to start winning as a country at all levels so we have to create that culture from the junior team starting with the Junior Africa Cup. We have not been qualifying for the World Rugby Junior Trophy.

“But we need to get the players into that winning mentality and build ethics that see us win up to the Sables level. It will not be a shocker that I would be asked to work with minimal resources by the ZRU, something I am used to at Churchill over the past six year. . . .with results,” added Mahari.

Out of the six games he was in charge since last year, Brider only managed one win and suffered five defeats – four of which came at the Under-20 World Rugby Trophy two months ago at Harare Sports Club.

Former Young Sables assistant coach Jeff Madhake who was part of the technical team two years ago has bounced back into the team structures while team manager Shaun de Souza’s future with the team hangs in the balance.

ZRU director of rugby Bright Chivandire yesterday shed light on circumstances surrounding technical changes within the Young Sables set-up.

“He (Mahari) will be assisted by Jeff (Madhake), we are still looking at having another assistant coach coming in and we are also considering the future of team manager Shaun de Souza with the Under-20 technical team,” said Chivandire.

Brider’s Young Sables downfall was also compounded by the fact that he dropped out of and failed to complete the World Rugby Level Three elite coaching certificate that the ZRU through the auspices of Rugby Africa had selected him to take part in.

“It was unfortunate he mistimed his diary (dissertation) submission and could not continue with the programme but World Rugby have committed to having him again for next year’s class. It was after our World Rugby Under-20 review that he (Brider) decided to resign,” said Chivandire.