adminTHE Cheetahs find themselves in the last chance saloon as they head to Monaco, France tomorrow for the Repechage Olympic rugby qualifiers.
A repechage is a series of competitions that allows participants who failed to meet qualifying standards by a small margin to get one more shot at crossing the line.
Sixteen teams will battle it out for the sole remaining ticket to the Rio Olympic Games and Zimbabwe are in the mix after missing out on Africa’s automatic qualification ticket following a last minute 17-21 defeat to Kenya in the final.
The Cheetahs led for most of the match but a last minute try broke their hearts and left them heading for the repechage while Kenya secured a ticket to Rio.
Coach Daniel Hondo’s men make the trip on the back of less than ideal preparations with planned camps in South Africa and Italy canceled due to financial challenges.
The team will be in Pool A alongside Sevens heavyweights Samoa, Tonga and Ireland.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union director of rugby Brighton Chivandire conceded that the odds are heavily stuck against the Cheetahs.
“It doesn’t look good, to be honest,” he said. “It’s either we go to France and qualify or we have to wait for 2020. The unfortunate thing is that we don’t get to choose our opponents; otherwise we would have preferred one or two other pools.
“Everyone knows what is at stake, everyone knows what needs to be done so we will go there and give it our all. The beauty of Sevens rugby is that success is not guaranteed; it is the team that shows up on the day that will come out victors.
“We have done everything in our power, resources permitting, to prepare the boys for the huge task that lies ahead and have every confidence in their abilities,” he said.
The Cheetahs only regrouped for camp last Wednesday but Chivandire insisted match fitness would not be a concern as the players were active in the XV’s format.
“Yes, it would have been ideal if both trips, to Italy and South Africa, had come to fruition but unfortunately we couldn’t raise the required funds,” he said. “Match fitness is a key area that these trips would have addressed, but thankfully the players have been active in the provincial leagues.
“The 15’s game allows them to play longer and run much harder, so hopefully the boys will be well conditioned when they finally kick off their campaign to qualify for the Olympics,” he said.
Repechage Teams
Uruguay, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Russia, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Samoa, Morocco, Tunisia, Zimbabwe
Online Reporter