Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CHEETAHS captain Tapiwa Malenga has taken former Zimbabwe Under-20 star, Tavonga Ablant under his wing as he hopes to help the young forward ease his way back into international rugby.
Ablant is currently in line to make his return to rugby after serving his three-year ban after testing positive to a banned substance, while on tour to Canada with the Junior Sables in 2022.
The duo is sharing a room in the Cheetahs camp in Kenya ahead of the kick-off of the Safari 7s tournament, which begins in Nairobi this morning.
“He is hungry and anxious to get back to playing again,” said Malenga.
“We are staying with him and I have been talking to him just to make sure he is in the right head space.
“You know, after having not played competitive rugby for almost four years, there is bound to be some nervousness and anxiety, but he is doing well.
“We just completed the captain’s run and he was looking good out there in the field.
“Now, only time will tell how he fares, but I am very optimistic that he will do well,” added Malenga.
Zimbabwe arrived in Kenya on Wednesday and have had a couple of sessions at the venue of the tourney – the iconic Nyayo Stadium, including yesterday’s captain’s run.
Malenga is confident the Cheetahs will acquit themselves well, despite the limited preparations ahead of their trip.
“Yeah, we could have done with a lot more prep-time, but the two weeks we had back in Zimbabwe were very good.
“Fitness is not really a problem as most of us had a busy year playing 15s rugby, while some of the foreign-based guys from South Africa and the United States played some sevens rugby.
“This allowed us to put more time in gelling, getting our team chemistry right and game plan.
“The mood is good in camp, we are injury free and everybody is raring to go.”
The Safari Sevens, regarded as one of the continent’s premier rugby events, continues to attract a rich blend of international and regional teams battling for the prestigious Robin Cahill Trophy.
This year’s edition officially kicks off this morning and will run until October 12.
At least 20 teams, 12 men’s and eight women’s sides, have been confirmed and these include Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Reunion, Walukuba Barbarians (Uganda), international sides like Shogun Rugby, French Renegades, UK Select, Apache Rugby and Kenyan side KBC.
Zimbabwe have been placed in pool C alongside the Kenya Morans, Apache and ReUnion.
Pool A will be made up of the Kenya Shujaa, French Renegades, UK select and Walukuba Rugby while Shotgun, Uganda, Nyati and KCB Rugby complete the men’s teams in Pool B.
Zimbabwe begin their group games with a match against the Apache after which they will meet ReUnion and wrap up with a game against the Kenya Morans.
Malenga has made the team’s intentions and goals clear.
“We want to win . . . we want to win all our games and, hopefully, bring the trophy home.
“It will be a huge ask and we look forward to play against all the top and international sides.
“It will give us a good bearing of where we stand and what we need to do,” he said.
