The Old Georgians U20 rugby team entered the 2025 U20 Paramount Garment League season with sky-high expectations, boasting a squad brimming with high-profile Zimbabwean players. Yet, what followed has been a campaign defined by frustration, as the star-studded side faltered against rivals and newcomers alike, leaving fans, coaches, and selectors questioning where it all went wrong.
On paper, few teams could rival OG’s depth. Headlined by members such as Wayne Kuriamunashe, Emmanuel Gabi, and Tadiwa Unganai, Pharrell Maziwa, Tawonga Chingosho, Dylan Gemmill, and even the acquisition of four Harare Sports Club prospects looking to greener pastures in the hopes of lifting the Paramount Garment Trophy—Shammah Jackosn, Tafadzwa Tigere, Tinotenda Rusike, and Tiamike Mlambo. This lineup further deepened their resources, with the majority of these players listed having played for either the Junior Sable U18 or U20 setup, but at the very least, part of the Junior Sables U20 training squad for 2025.
Such firepower suggested a title change was inevitable.
Head coach Tatenda Museba’s philosophy of “organised chaos”—a high-risk, high-reward strategy reliant on unstructured creativity—delivered glory in 2023 in a thrilling final victory over the Pitbulls. But this season, the approach has unravelled. Pitbulls, though less star-studded, exploited OG’s tactical fragility, handing them four consecutive defeats across two seasons, including semi-final exits in 2025 and a second place in 2024.
The system’s decline has raised questions over whether Museba, alongside assistants Hickman and Zvabasa, can adapt. Opponents have grown wise to OG’s unpredictability, countering with disciplined structures that neutralise their individual flair.
Equally concerning has been the team’s lack of synergy. While talent abounds, the integration of multiple marquee names has led to disjointed performances. The embarrassing 26-12 loss to newcomers Steelers exemplified this: individual errors, poor communication, and a lack of collective identity undermined their superior pedigree.
Critics argue OG’s recruitment strategy prioritised star power over balance, leaving the squad overloaded in certain positions while lacking cohesion. The contrast with Pitbulls’ cohesive, less-heralded (five players involved in the Junior Sables U20 training squad) unit has been stark under Head Coach Jeff Madake.
OGs’ final act this season comes in Saturday’s third-place playoff against the Steelers—a chance to salvage pride after their earlier humiliation. Victory would offer a glimmer of optimism, but it cannot mask the broader issues plaguing the club.
For Museba and his staff, the offseason demands reflection. Recalibrating tactics to marry creativity with discipline appears essential, while a more measured approach to recruitment—favouring chemistry over reputation—could restore equilibrium. For this gifted but fractured squad, the road to redemption starts with humility.
Photo credits: Maru’s Photography
