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THE Cheetahs are today expected to have a “stroll in the park” at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games rugby qualifier tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa, after they were handed an easy draw for the two-day competition.
Zimbabwe are the only heavyweights in Pool B where they were drawn against Nigeria (ranked 14th), Zambia (ranked ninth) and Uganda (ranked sixth) and their chances of making it to the knock out stages tomorrow are certain.
The Zimbabwe Sevens side will face Nigeria at 11:20am in their first game of the qualifier before taking on Zambia (2pm), while their third and final pool game will come at 4:30pm against Uganda.
Having finished third at the previous Africa Cup tournament to reigning champions South Africa and Kenya, Zimbabwe have a lot of making up to do if they are to finish the year with a silverware as they closely lost out on making it as a core member early this year, losing 22-19 to Russia in the final minute of the World Series final qualifier.
Zimbabwe lost 19-17 to Kenya in semi-final of the last Africa Cup but are determined to go all the way this year and clinch the ultimate prize.
Tipped to make it to the final, Zimbabwe have Kenya as their biggest challenge in the competition where only one ticket to next year’s Olympic Games is at stake but the Cheetahs feel focusing on Kenya could distract their camp.
Cheetahs coach Daniel Hondo has put his trust in the veterans and there are no rookies or debutantes in his tournament with veteran Jacques Leitao coming in as the stand-in captain to injured Hilton Mudariki who was not available for selection.
Western Province flanker Tapiwa Tsomondo, the explosive Manasah Sita and the destructive Njabulo Ndlovu all return to the Cheetahs fold.
“There is no need really for us to put all our efforts in the battle against Kenya because we are not in the same pool and so we have to focus on our group games first and see how everything else goes as the tournament progresses.
“We have to take it (the tournament) game-by-game and do what we are supposed to in regards to our own play. . .who knows, Kenya might even get knocked out before we meet them.
“We are wary of them (Kenya), but we will also be keeping an eye on them as the tournament goes, hopefully we will get stronger,” said Hondo.
The qualifier tournament – which is also the Africa Cup – has 12 teams in total grouped into three pools, with the top two teams from each group and the two best runners-up making it to the quarter-finals tomorrow.
And this is when real business gets underway for the Cheetahs.
The Nigerian Black Stallions made it to the Olympic Games qualifiers after having made it into the final of the North Region pre-qualifiers in Togo five months ago and the 14th seeds are also hoping to big changes to their rugby fortunes.
Like the Cheetahs, Nigeria were in South Africa early this week to make use of the more advanced facilities and also get used to the conditions Down South.
Should Zimbabwe not qualify through the regional tournament but still achieve a top three placing, then they will participate in the Olympic qualifier play-offs – whose dates are still to be announced – where the winners of the two-day tournament will earn the only ticket to the Rio Games.
Sixteen regional teams will take part at the tournament as Africa and Asia will each have three teams, Europe (four), North America and the Caribbean (two teams), Oceania (two teams), and South America (two teams).
Cheetahs Squad
Jacques Leitao (captain) Tapiwa Tsomondo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Graham Kaulback, Manasah Sita, Stephan Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Shayne Makombe, Lenience Tambwera, Riaan O’Neill, Boyd Rouse, Kilvan Magunje.
Online Reporter