Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Acting Sports Editor
THE Government has described the Zimbabwe Sevens Cheetahs’ qualification to the Sevens World Cup as a milestone in the history of the country’s rugby and bolsters the quest for the nation to be recognized as a rugby playing nation of note.
Zimbabwe qualified for the 2018 Sevens Rugby World Cup in San Francisco, United States of America despite losing 10-7 to Uganda in the Africa Cup men’s final played at Legends Rugby Grounds in Kampala on Saturday. Besides the World Cup, the Gilbert Nyamutsamba mentored Cheetahs will also have a shot at the Sevens World Series core status at the Hong Kong qualifier to be held from 6 to 8 April.
“The qualification was not an easy task as they went through rigorous preparation and extremely demanding competition, as the terrain was rugged and strewn with highly competitive teams. As the sports regulatory and promotion body we are proud and happy that our players were able to hold their own against other invincible competitors,” said the SRC’s acting director general Joseph Muchechetere.
He pledged the commission’s undivided support to the team’s preparations and called upon the corporate world to also come on board and pour resources towards the successful preparations of the team, adding that the SRC will also lobby the Government to support the squad.
“Success at such high levels of competition is not by sheer luck or accident rather it is a function of hard work, determination, fortitude and adequate material and financial support. It is in this spirit that we would like to appeal to all and sundry to rally behind the success of this team. To the team, our word of advice is that real work has just started and this is not the time to tire but to exert your efforts towards attaining success at the World Cup in San Francisco. It is your character, zeal, grit and pedigree which is going to make the difference between you and the other teams.
“Finally on behalf of the SRC Board, Management and Staff we would like to collectively extend our hearty congratulations to the Sevens Cheetahs for their qualification. We are confident that you will raise our flag high above other nations thus positively projecting us a rugby playing nation of great repute,” said Muchechetere.
Zimbabwe finished second in the group to claim a spot in the World Cup with group winners Uganda.
Zimbabwe Cheetahs squad: Biselele Tshamala, Lucky Sithole, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Scotty Jones, Stephan Hunduza, Ngoni Chibuwe, Shingirai Hlanguyo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Hilton Mudariki(captain), Body Rouse, Mkhululi Ndlela, Nelson Madida.
@skhumoyo2000
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