SABLES coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge has made three changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday’s crunch tie against Hong Kong.

The match kicks off at 1PM Zimbabwean time.

The Sables resume their Hong Kong Cup of Nations campaign desperate for a win after last Friday’s 15-19 loss to Russia.

Making way for the Hong Kong clash, is the trio of Hooker Mathew Mandioma, Tight-head Brian Makwamure and Eighth-man Njabulo Ndlovu.

They will be replaced by Tolerance Zishe and Lawrence Cleminson with Connor Pritchard set to be given the nod at the flank position.

Connor’s inclusion in the team sees Andrew Rose, who played flanker during the Russia game, moved to the eighth-men position.

Mandenge has urged his charges to improve on their spirited showing against Russia, when they square off against Hong Kong.

The Sables won over the hearts of the Hong Kong people with brave second-half display against a more potent Russian outfit during the opening day of the Hong Kong Cup of Nations on Friday.

Russia took a 19-6 lead into halftime but were outclassed down the stretch as the Sables shut them out in the second stanza and closed the gap before time ran out.

The Europeans got their tries from winger Dennis Simplikevich and a brace from flanker Victor Gresev.

Fly-half Ramil Gaysin added the extras.

All of Zimbabwe’s 15 points came from the boot of fly-half Lenience Tambwera, who retains his position at the number 10 position ahead of the returning Tichafara Makwanya.

He scored all of Zimbabwe’s five penalties.

“It was a bad result in that we lost, against Russia, but generally I was pleased with the way the guys played.

“Coming back from 19-6 at halftime, only to finish the game a try-shy of victory is no easy feat.

“There were a lot of positives from the game; we completely shut them (Russia) out in the second half, prevented them from gaining the bonus point and got it ourselves.

“We showed spirit to come back and should have won the game.

“The trick now is to move a gear up from that performance and try avoid the unforced errors, tighten up our defence and not waste opportunities when we square off against Hong Kong,” he said.

Sables starting line-up

D. Mutangamira, T. Zishe, L. Cleminson, W. Mandizha, M. Passaportis, B. Tshamala, C. Pritchard, A. Rose, K. Kazembe, L. Tambwera, S. Hunduza, R. O’NEIL, k. Mashawi, T. Chitokwindo, L. Tshuma.

Reserves

M. Mandioma, I. Nduwa, B. Makwamure, T. Parirenyatwa, O. Muhambi, T. Makwanya, B. Ellse, G. Nyawata.