adminHarare Bureau
CHEETAHS coach Gilbert “Gidza” Nyamutsamba believes his charges should win their opening game at the rugby Sevens World Cup on Friday as the game is going to have a huge bearing on their performance throughout the tournament. Zimbabwe have been placed in Pool C of the 32-team competition and their opening game will be against a challenging Samoa on Friday and this will be their only game of the day before facing Kenya and the Philippines on Saturday.
Aiming to make it for the Cup quarter finals, Nyamutsamba knows that they are not going to have it easy in Moscow and their performance on the opening day of the three day global event will have an impact on the side.
“We have to pick it (momentum) from the first game because whatever the case, the result here is going to have a huge impact on the way we are going to play the next game and of course our overall standings in the group.
If the Cheetahs are to make it for the Cup quarter-finals, they must finish top of their group or finish among the best two runners up where seeding will be used to determine opponents for the knock out stage.
The side is expected in Moscow this evening having left the country last night and their last training session at home was on Saturday.
While the Cheetahs were putting final touches to their preparations, the Zimbabwe age grade teams were taking advantage of the schools exit weekend to prepare for the Craven Week and Grant Khomo festivals.
Coached by former Sables mentor Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa, the Under-18 side and Douglas Trivella’s Under-17 sides were camped at St George’s College where they also engaged in a match practice on Saturday afternoon.
This was the first time that the players were getting together since selection a few weeks ago and Murambiwa feels the camp was fruitful as the players were together for three days before returning to school.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo