A Matabeleland Rugby Football Board’s (MRFB) select side has started preparations for the tour of Zambia which is scheduled for the third week of November.

The squad which started training at Hartsfield stadium in Bulawayo on Tuesday afternoon, will play three matches against three unnamed Zambian clubs either in Lusaka or Livingstone on November 26.

“We are scheduled to play three matches against Zambian sides and actual venues are still being finalised. The board wants the guys to end the year with a tour as a way of motivating players and creating excitement ahead of the start of next season. We will be holding our trainings on Mondays and Wednesdays until we leave for Zambia,” said Simba Dangah, the MRFB select side manager.

“To give players game time, we intend playing two or so games before we leave. This will also give some players a chance to impress the coaches and maybe get included in the squad of about 24 we intend to take to Zambia,” Dangah said. 

Most players that make up the Matabeleland select side were picked during last month’s senior national team’s trials held in Bulawayo.

Fourteen players from the Southern Region Select side that beat the Northern Select 15-12 in the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) organised senior men’s national team trials were shortlisted for the Sables, but only Irvine Nduwa and Sandile Lupuwana made the grade.

Some players that make up the MRFB select team include winger Gardner Nechironga, who came out of retirement last year, scrumhalf Lloyd Machanjaire, right centre Japhet Ndebele, who has represented Zimbabwe at different competitions, and eighth man Jason Mackay.

Tighthead prop Victor Chiwara, locks Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa and Velile dube, left-flanker and vice-captain Michael Zvakavapano as well as fullback Andrea Banda are among the experienced players expected to form the core of the MRFB select team for the tour.

The team is training  close supervision of Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba, Reuben Kumpasa and Ziffy Dzinomurumbi and is also set to play at least two friendly games before their departure.

@ZililoR