Zimbabwe’s rugby players sleep on the street before Tunisian game

The Zimbabwean rugby team, the Sables, and their managers were recently in Tunisia for the World Cup qualifier. Their trip was fraught with issues from the moment they arrived in the north African country. First the team was delayed for six hours by airport officials when they could not pay a visa fee of US$23 each for visas that the organisers had assured the Zimbabwean sports ministry would be issued free to the team on their arrival.

When the players finally arrived at their accommodation, they found the hotel unacceptable and chose to sleep on the street in protest. Pictures of the team sleeping on the street beside their luggage were posted on social media by David Coltart, the former Zimbabwean Minister of Sport.

Zimbabwe National Rugby Team players slept in the street last night in Tunisia ahead of a @rugbyworldcup qualifier on Saturday against Tunisia.

Before that, they were held at the Airport for 6 hours as they could not raise €600 for Visa processing. pic.twitter.com/EoQBMPv2AI

— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) July 3, 2018

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The pictures sparked outrage on social media, which spurred the organisers into action to try and remedy the situation. Rugby Africa said in a statement, “We would like to reassure the Zimbabwean Ministry of Sports, Zimbabwe Rugby Union and all partners and fans that the situation was addressed immediately. An acceptable solution was found this morning.”

“Tunisia Rugby Union took the Sables’ (Zimbabwe) management to visit another hotel, which was accepted. Rugby Africa and Tunisia Rugby Union would like to express their sincere apologies to the Sables team and management for this unfortunate situation,” it added.

Read: South African rugby star shines spotlight on the sport’s racist past

To add to these sentiments, Khaled Babbou, an executive member of both TRU and Rugby Africa, said there had been no ill intent. He was quoted by News24 saying, “I can assure you that there was absolutely no intention to destabilise our opponents and we will make every possible effort to ensure they have good preparation ahead of Saturday’s match.”

We are aware of an issue regarding the Zimbabwe team ahead of their Rugby Africa Gold Cup match on Saturday. We have received firm assurances from Rugby Africa that the issue has been quickly and effectively resolved today. Statement from Rugby Africa: https://t.co/22WtIdezap

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 3, 2018

Unfortunately for the Sables, the Tunisia experience has not been the only negative encounter they have had recently. Zimbabwe’s loose forward, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, told the Zimbabwean radio station Capitalk FM that the issues started well ahead of the team’s previous match in Nairobi, where they lost 45-36 to Kenya.

“We were not paid our daily allowances for the duration of our stay in Kenya, including our match fees, which we have not received. In Tunisia, we were detained at the airport for close to six hours, with no allowances given to us.”

He added that their coach, South African Peter de Villiers, had to pay for their food and drinks out of his own pocket, or they would have had to go without. “We’d be hungry right now. The situation is very frustrating and disheartening,” he added.

In the game Zimbabwe lost 14-18 to Tunisia.

Absolutely Disgraceful. @WorldRugby need to scrap their degrading ‘Tier’ system and ensure ALL international teams are respected and looked out for EQUALLY! https://t.co/Slq5SmesBm

— Daniel Leo (@danleo82) July 3, 2018

World Rugby mounts a rhetorical case for wanting a global game, and there are some concessions when pragmatism & image dictates, but by and large, it's the same Unions cutting the pie, and self-interest determines slice size. Bummer. Imagine if our great game was generous, too. https://t.co/ihWlAYnuR8

— John Campbell (@JohnJCampbell) July 3, 2018