SABLES, the Zimbabwe senior men’s rugby team, will enter the Africa Cup 1A tournament targeting at least three victories starting with the away fixture against Senegal at the Stade Iba Mar Diop in Dakar this Saturday.

The Sables have been hard at work in their final preparations and so head coach Cyprian ‘Supa’ Mandenge reckons he has the best men at his disposal to make things happen and count for Zimbabwe in Africa’s prestigious tournament.

“The minimum I am looking for in this competition is three wins so we need to get that target,” Mandenge told Sportszone.co.zw.

“Once you are a coach you have to coach a side and go on to win. There are no two ways about it.”

The final Sables squad to make the trip to Senegal will be announced today.

In Sables camp are seven foreign based players in former Young Sables captain Connor Pritchard who plies his trade in Australia, lock Brian Nyaude from Germany, Lawrence Cleminson, Witness Mandizha, Biselele Tshamala, Hilton Mudariki and Ngoni Chibuwe who all play in South Africa.

With a blend of talented locally based players, Mandenge appears to be spoilt for choice in regards to selection for this particular Senegal Test.

“I am happy with the guys I have in camp. It’s a good squad I am happy with given that all you want is the guys who want to play. Guys have put their hands up. We are finalising to see who we can take,” he said.

The Sables are expected to depart in the wee hours of Thursday with Wednesday being the last day of training at home.

Sables training squad

Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Lawrence Cleminson, Irvine Nduwa, Brian Makamure, Tolerance Zishe, Graham Cochran, Takudzwa Bvunzawabaya, Brian Nyaude, Witness Mandizha, Fortune Chipendo, George Saungweme, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, Connor Pritchard, Biselele Tshamala, Lucky Sithole, Osborne Muhambi.

Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Scotty Jones, Joshua Gando, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Gideon Muyambo, Tarisai Mugaviri, Dan Capsopoulos, Boyd Rouse, Ngoni Chibuwe, Stephan Hunduza, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Tadius Hwata, Tinashe Gwisai.