ZIMBABWE Rugby Union (ZRU) boss Losson Mtongwiza (left) is confident that the senior rugby team are now in pole position to qualify for a first World Cup since 1991 after lifting the Africa Cup in Uganda last week.
The Sables blew away their opponents Algeria 29 - 3 in the one sided final which saw the team lift their first continental title since 2012.
Coach Piet Benade appears to have brought some refreshing confidence in the team following his appointment barely four months ago
The team managed to beat bogey side Namibia for the first time in 23 years and rose to their best position in nine years, 28th , on the world rankings.
Mtongwiza appears to have also brought the winning spirit in Zimbabwe rugby following his election in May.
"We’re very excited by this Africa Cup win only 12 months before the World Cup. It puts us in pole position to qualify for the 2027 World Cup, which is a good place to be. We now just need to win three games at Africa Cup in Uganda next year, which we certainly can," he told Standardsport in an exclusive interview.
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'"Rugby in the country still needs to grow and winning the Africa Cup will allow partners/sponsors to come in and look after the leagues where our players are participating week in and week out.
"Our ranking at 28 is good, however, we should be aiming for 20th place, which is achievable by going to the World Cup and winning a game.
"Winning the Africa Cup is the beginning our our journey to transform Zim Rugby.
"We intend to play several games to upskill all our locally-based squad players starting with the game against Limpopo Blue Bulls in Bulawayo then we intend to go on a trip either to South Africa or to Europe to play three matches all before we close for Christmas.
"We also have an invite to Uganda sitting on their desk to come down and play us at some point as you saw they were the closest to us judging by the score. So the victory brings pressure to everyone to prepare well so that we can defend our title next year. This is good pressure and we have enough time to put a good plan in place.
"So the goodwill that we hope to achieve in visiting all these teams is that they can visit Zimbabwe next year and give us good home tests. We should play at least four home games next year before the Africa Cup and also visit Limpopo blue bulls for the away game and loftus 2000 in Pretoria," he said.
Mtongwiza believes winning the Africa Cup soon after taking over the biggest post in Zimbabwe rugby is not a coincidence, but a reflection of the work done after the elections.
"Winning Africa Cup just after coming in was not a coincidence, but was a reflection of the work we put in immediately after the elections. We worked as a team, but put in some key policies that informed use of key resources," he said.
The Sables managed to beat hosts Uganda in the last eight and Namibia in the semis on their way to the final.
Following the team's performance Benade was named coach of the tournament while Tapiwa Mafura bagged the player of the tournament award.
Meanwhile, Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah has sent his congratulatory message to the ZRU boss.
"Rugby Africa extends its congratulations to you on winning the Rugby Africa Cup 2024 in Kampala. It was a case of a “changing of the guard,” Mensah said.
"The way Zimbabwe played and behaved captured the desired imagery Rugby Africa is seeking to portray and I hope this marks the beginning of a return to greater glory!
"Kindly extend our respects to the team of coaches, management, players and supporters who helped you realise this dream.
"Remember though that next year, you are the target."