BLESSING TAKUDZWA
The Zimbabwe national men's rugby team made a strong statement of intent on the opening day of their Middle East-Asia tour with a commanding 62-22 victory over the United Arab Emirates at Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
The Sables' performance was as comprehensive as it was impressive, with a stellar team display, including a hat-trick from Edward Sigauke and a brace from captain Hilton Mudariki.
Zimbabwe's dominance began early, with veteran fly-half Ian Prior opening the scoring with a penalty in the first few minutes.
The Sables’ forwards, led by the powerful pack, quickly asserted their dominance, forcing repeated infringements from the UAE, which led to a penalty try in the 10th minute. The UAE’s discipline was under pressure, and the Sables capitalized.
Godfrey Muzanargwo's try, following a slick assist from debutant Munashe Mhere, further demonstrated Zimbabwe's fluid attacking play. The Sables' backs showed great chemistry, and Muzanarwgo’s direct running saw him bulldoze his way to the line.
Captain Hilton Mudariki, marking his 49th cap for Zimbabwe, was next on the scoreboard. His try highlighted his leadership qualities, showing strength and composure under pressure as he powered over the line. Mudariki wasn't done there. After a well-deserved second-half try, the captain was key in orchestrating the Sables' offensive game.
The real magic came from Edward Sigauke, who showcased his finishing ability with a clinical hat-trick of tries. Each try was a demonstration of pace, timing, and support play as the Zimbabwean backline cut through the UAE defense with precision.
The Sables weren’t finished, though. After several close calls, Trevor Gurwe finally added his name to the scoresheet, finishing a sweeping move that had the crowd on their feet.
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, who had served a brief stint in the sin bin, capped off the scoring with a well-taken try late in the game, ensuring Zimbabwe’s complete dominance.
After the match, a beaming Hilton Mudariki reflected on his side's performance: “We are very grateful to the crowd that came to support us. We didn’t expect to feel like the home team, but the energy here was incredible.
Things worked out very well for us today, especially with the new guys fitting in seamlessly. It was a fantastic all-round performance.”
The Sables' clinical play and the impressive debut performances from several players point to a bright future for Zimbabwe rugby as they now turn their attention to their next test match in South Korea to cap off their Middle East-Asia tour.
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