Rugby fans flocked to Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare on Monday afternoon to welcome the Sables, Zimbabwe’s newly crowned African champions. The airport’s arrivals area was adorned in green and white as supporters eagerly awaited the team’s return from a successful campaign in Uganda, where they clinched the Rugby Africa Cup.
The atmosphere was jubilant as the Sables emerged from the checkpoint, with the crowd singing and celebrating their heroes. Captain Hilton Mudariki proudly carried the Rugby Africa Cup trophy, marking their second win, the first being in 2012. This victory has propelled Zimbabwe to 28th place in the World Rugby Rankings, their highest position since 2015 when they were 26th.
Team coach Piet Benade described the triumph as a significant step towards their broader goals. “We are taking baby steps, and this win will boost the players’ belief as we strive for greater achievements. It’s wonderful to make the nation proud, but we remain focused on reaching even greater heights,” Benade said.
Zimbabwe will be one of the four nations competing in next year’s Rugby Africa Cup, which will serve as qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The winner of the tournament will automatically qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up will enter the Repachage Qualifiers. The Sables’ success reignites hope for Zimbabwe’s return to the Rugby World Cup, an event they last participated in back in 1991. The current team is now seen as the key to ending the long absence from the global stage.
In other news – Three robbers arrested with 1,000 bullets in their possession
Three suspected armed robbers, Kenneth Chiputura, Jaison Munyama, and Mike Chitsiko, have appeared in a Harare court facing charges of robbery. Their arrest followed a police shootout that resulted in the death of their accomplice, Raymond Mugabe.
The trio is accused of several robberies in Harare while armed with pistols and iron bars. On May 31, they allegedly broke into a house, assaulted the occupant, and stole US$15,000, firearms, ammunition, jewelry, alcohol, and other goods. They also took a truck, which they later abandoned. Read More
