Rugby
Andrew Oryada, Special to ESPN 6y

I don't only focus on winning - Peter de Villiers

Rugby

Zimbabwe's head coach, Peter de Villiers, has said that he does not put too much attention to winning only, but rather good team play and player development.

De Villiers said his team was well motivated to claim their first victory of the Rugby Africa Gold Cup/Rugby World Cup qualifying tournament, against Uganda on Sunday, but "if you focus on the scoreboard as a coach then you will miss out on player development".

"The scoreboard takes care of itself, but what matters is how are the players playing according to what you have imparted," De Villiers told KweséESPN.

The Zimbabwe Sables are second from the bottom of the standings with three points, ahead of Morocco only on points differential, and they could find themselves relegated to the Silver Cup if they suffer a big defeat by third-placed Uganda.

Zimbabwe started their campaign with a 23-23 draw against Morocco in Harare before they suffered a 45-36 defeat away to Kenya. The Sables then lost 18-14 away to Tunisia in Beja before falling suffering a 58-28 loss to table leaders Namibia.

"They don't need extra motivation because they know what is expected of them," De Villiers said. "My players are motivated enough and know what is expected about them in this game. I don't just look out for results but I look at the general development and I am happy with where we are.

"I cannot say I am annoyed with how my team has performed in the other matches. I am actually impressed because there is a big change from the time when I joined early this year.

"No coach has control over winning and losing. We shall go out there, and control the things we can control. Uganda has outstanding players, but what excites me is the fact that they are good unit and do things as a team. But we shall focus on our play and what we are capable of doing as a team."

Bob Omuna, Uganda Rugby Cranes manager, meanwhile, told KweséESPN that his team was ready to "complete the competition in style".

Uganda opened their campaign with back-to-back defeats to Namibia and Kenya before defeating Tunisia and Morocco

"The players are well motivated and want to make the home fans happy," Omuna said.

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