Arusha Rhinos rugby team host are set to utilise a home ground advantage when they host Mombasa in the on-going East Africa Rugby Cup (EARC) competitions tomorrow.
Arusha Rhinos Rugby Club
The visitors are expected to arrive in Arusha this evening for the match scheduled to kick-off at 4:30pm tomorrow.
The two teams will be meeting for the first time. Rhinos’ captain Justin Trappe told the ‘Daily News’ over the phone from Arusha yesterday that although they had a longer break since their win against the Dar Leopards in Dar es Salaam, his team is ready and waiting to meet the visitors.
The match will be played on the Rhinos’ home pitch located at the Tanzania Game Trackers (TGT) grounds. “I think we are preparing well, the boys are keen and ready to play on Saturday. We’re all itching to play on our home ground and in front of our home fans,” said Trappe.
“We’re missing a few players but we’ve also gained a few. I’m happy with this situation. I mean we can work with what we have and we are all striving for one goal,” he added. He admitted that they have a tough task ahead because their opponents have just finished a 14-week season so they should be very fit for tomorrow’s match.
However, he hopes that with the right attitude, commitment and playing as a band of brothers, the Rhinos have a good chance of winning the game. The return leg will be played in Mombasa at the end of the month.
Trappe said he has a good relationship with the Mombasa team, with whom he hopes to possibly join forces with and compete in a league. “But my main concern now is game day this Saturday. Once we are through with the EARC, we can think about the future of both clubs,” he said.
By IMAN MANI, Tanzania Daily News
