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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 46150, member: 636"]
Zimbabwe rugby star Tapiwa Mafura offers advice to his Sables teammates as they prepare for next month's Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda. The team enters the continental tournament as defending champions after their victory last year. Other nations like Uganda, Morocco, Kenya and Senegal understand the threat Zimbabwe poses. Namibia still remembers their 10-32 loss to the Sables during the previous competition. The defending champions will face extra pressure from opponents targeting them.

Mafura believes the added attention should not affect team performance. The fullback says players must focus on their individual roles rather than worry about outside expectations. He recently returned to camp after representing Zimbabwe at the Rugby Africa Sevens Cup in Mauritius. Four other players joined him late after completing sevens duties with the Cheetahs team. The Cheetahs earned third place behind South Africa and Madagascar at that tournament.

The veteran player feels disappointed with the bronze medal result from the sevens competition. Mafura thinks Zimbabwe was the strongest team but suffered from poor luck and questionable officiating decisions. He believes better choices during the semifinal against South Africa could have changed the outcome. The fullback missed recent Sables victories over Zambia and Botswana due to club commitments. Mafura played for the Lions during their run to the Currie Cup final.
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