Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby coach and former Young Sables forward, Brandon Brider proved a cost to the development of the domestic game after he dropped out of the World Rugby Level Three coaching course held in France.

Having graduated with the World Rugby Level Three coaching certificate last month, Mandenge’s latest accreditation will come under test when the Sables take on Kenya at the Police Grounds on Saturday.

According to Africa Rugby eight candidates from Africa started class in May last year and only Zimbabwe had the chance of fielding two representatives – but the chance of getting more highly qualified coaches went begging.

Amady Diallo (Senegal), Roger Hesron Robert Thompson (Namibia),  Mohamed Ali Hedi (Tunisia), Mandenge, Brider, Charles Mutisya Ngovi (Kenya), Mboazafy Noé Rakotoarivelo (Madagascar),  and Ricardo Ian Peter Loubscher from South Africa were the eight students.

“Eight of the best African coaches gathered at the National Centre of Rugby for a top level workshop. From the 5th to the 8th of May (2015) coaches of Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Tunisia , Namibia, Senegal, and Madagascar attend a World Rugby Level Three training course,” said Rugby Africa at the beginning of the program.

Under the auspices of Africa Rugby, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union were last year honored to send the duo of Sables coach Cyprian Mandenge and Brider for the high level coaching course over a year.

However, only Mandenge managed to complete his certification and St George's College coach Brider did not travel for the final leg of the qualification in France as he had dropped out.

It is understood that Brider did not submit his project and this ruled him out of graduation resulting in him not travelling to France for the final semester of the coaching program.

Only seven candidates then graduated including Mandenge and excluding the former Zimbabwe Craven Week Under-18 schools assistant coach.

“The seven best coaches of the African continent gathered for an intensive coaching workshop, with Adama Bakhoum regional training manager and Mostafa Jelti regional development officer.

“Amady Diallo (Senegal) Mohamed Ali Hedi (Tunisia) Ricardo Loubscher (South Africa) Cyprian Mandenge (Zimbabwe) Roger Thompson (Namibia) Charles Ngovi (Kenya) and Noé Rakotoarivelo (Madagascar) participated in the second part of their World Rugby coaching training Level Three ; the first one having taken place in 2015 in Marcoussis (France).

“Our seven coaches had a memorable experience in Castres despite the relentless rain and most importantly have received a valued diploma,” reads the Rugby Africa website.