HARARE - Harare Sports Club will look to shed their chokers tag tomorrow when they face in-form Matabeleland Warriors in what promises to be an explosive National Rugby League (NRL) final centred on the crucial breakdown battle.
Sportivo last won a major title in 2009, but back then only teams from the country’s northern region contested the championship among themselves.
Blessing Chiutare’s men will bank on experience too.
Quite a few players have been with the club for four seasons and these include centre Daniel Hondo, utility back Tangai Nemadire, prop Kudakwashe Kambasha, eighthman Ruramai Kudenga and utility forward Jakov Jakov.
Sports Club have lost in the final three times in a row to outgoing champions Old Georgians, so the absence of OGs from this year’s final gives them hope their time has finally come.
The Harare giants will bank on their star-studded backline which comprise highly-rated flyhalf Lenience Tamberwa and skilful fullback Nemadire.
Their backline have been in a class of their own this season, scoring the most tries than any other team in the 2012 campaign.
In the forwards, Warriors will likely bank on their huge and mobile pack and employ a slower game if they are to succeed in claiming the coveted trophy.
The battle at the breakdown promises to be a thriller as the Warriors’ loose trio of Lucky Sithole, Moses Makiwa and Biselele Tshamala have been in irresistible form this season.
Former Young Sables flanker Tshamala has been particularly impressive.
He is a great fetcher of the ball and has potential to change games single handedly. His pin-point kicking has got the Bulawayo side out of jail several times this season.
The Warriors’ back row has also been boosted by the arrival this week of Zimbabwe eighthman Norman Mukondiwa from South Africa.
It will be interesting to see how their loose trio will cope against their opposite numbers of Eddie Manyere, Owen Chitaure and former Zimbabwe Under-20 international Sean Chigumbura, who on their day can also be destructive.
- Brian Matamba