HARARE - Zimbabwe yesterday named eight uncapped players and three Europe-based professionals in the Sables squad for the upcoming Emirates Airline Cup of Nations in Dubai.

The UK-based trio of flank Shingi Mpofu, uncapped tight-head prop Nick Winwood and utility back Tommy Nelson are the only overseas-based players in the 25-man squad announced yesterday.

The other new faces in the team are Johannesburg-based hooker Keith Murray, Old Georgians front row Simba Musarurwa, Sharks Academy flank Tonderai Chigumbura, Harare Sports Club centre Simba Chirimuuta, Sports Club wing Steve Hunduza as well as the Old Georgians halfback pairing of Graham Kaulback and Johnno McWade.

The Sables were left severely depleted after several key players opted to travel with the national Sevens side to South Africa for the Port Elizabeth leg of the IRB World Sevens Series.

Losson Mtongwiza, the Sables team manager, however insists the Dubai-bound Sables squad is stronger than the one which lost two test matches to Namibia and Spain during the Windhoek Lager Tri-Nation series last month.

The Emirates Airline Cup of Nations acts as a year ending tournament for tier three teams from different continents. The four competing teams are hosts UAE, 2012 Asian Five Nations runners up Hong Kong, 2012, 2010-2012 European Nations Cup Division 1B champions Belgium as well as African champions Zimbabwe.

The Sables open against Hong Kong at The Sevens on December 8.

SQUAD

Forwards: Costa Dinha (captain), Tapiwa Mangezi, Pieter Joubert, Nick Winwood, Keith Murray, Simba Musarurwa, Brian Makamure, Jan Ferreira, Sanile Sibanda, Biselele Tshamala, Shingi Mpofu, Takunda Chifokoyo, Tonderai Chigumbura.

Backs: Scotty Jones, Graham Kaulback, Lenience Tambwera, Tichafara Makwanya, Tommy Nelson, Gavin Nyawata, Simbarashe Chirimuuta, Josh Rowe, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Shane Makombe, Steven Hunduza, Johnno McWade.