Rugby Africa has issued an apology to Zimbabwe after their national rugby team slept on the streets of Tunisia following problems with their accommodation before Africa Gold Cup match this weekend.
The Sables are in the North African country where they are scheduled to play against their hosts in the city of Monastir on Saturday in a match which serves as a qualifier for next year’s rugby World Cup that will be hosted in Japan.
But due to “appalling accommodation” the team refused to sleep in a hotel that they were booked in by the hosts yesterday terming it as substandard.
“We would like to reassure the Zimbabwean Ministry of Sports, Zimbabwe Rugby Union, and all partners and fans that the situation was addressed immediately, and an acceptable solution has been found this morning,” reads part of the statement.
“Tunisia Rugby Union took the Sables management to visit another hotel which was accepted. Rugby Africa would like to express their sincere apologies to the Sables team and management for this unfortunate situation.”
Khaled Babbou, an executive member of Rugby Africa, who is reported to be currently on his way to Beja to inspect the facilities and meet with the Sables team, said that the occurrence is not a plot to disrupt the visitors’ preparations for the match.
“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 a good preparation ahead of Saturday’s match.”
The President of Rugby Africa Abdelaziz Bougja, has confirmed that the competition hosting agreements are signed by the six participating unions in the Gold Cup and are very clear and strict in terms of accommodation standards.
“We rely on our unions to make sure the requirements are met and it is unfortunate that it seemed not to be the case with this hotel in Tunisia,” he said.
“Player welfare is at the heart of our preoccupations so we are not taking this lightly.”
Zimbabwe are currently third on the Gold Cup standings with only two points after two matches following a 45-36 loss to Kenya last weekend. Namibia currently leads the log with a full haul of 15 points from three matches, including an 118-0 victory over Tunisia.
