adminGeorgia.
Having missed on the core status last year following a narrow loss to Portugal, Zimbabwe are determined to come back home having completed their mission but, first, they have to overcome Pool A challenges.
Having left the country on Sunday, Zimbabwe and other none-core teams were joined by Scotland, Portugal and Spain in the core membership qualifiers after the trio finished as the bottom-placed in the elite group.
The three European countries have joined Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Georgia, Tonga and Russia to make up the eight teams that will battle for promotion in London come Saturday and only three teams will earn core membership.
The top three teams from the qualifier tournament will earn core membership for the 2013-14 season that starts with the Australia leg late this year.
Zimbabwe qualified for the final qualifiers in London after winning the pre-qualifier tournament in Hong Kong two months ago and were joined by Georgia, Russia and Tonga by virtue of making it to the semi-finals.
Hong Kong qualified by virtue of being Asian champions.
In Hong Kong Zimbabwe beat Tonga 22-19 in the final after losing only one game against the Russians with a 12-21 loss in the final Group G game.
The Cheetahs had turned on a masterly performance in their opening game where they beat South Americans Mexico 29-0.
Their other wins came against the Cook Islands(29-0), Brazil (21-7 in the quarter final) and turning the tables against Russia (19-5) in the semi-final before winning the tournament.
And this is the same spirit that the Cheetahs hope to maintain this weekend as they open with a date against Hong Kong on Saturday morning before entertaining a tricky and more experienced Scotland while their game against Georgia rounds up their group campaign.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Under-19 training squad for the Junior Africa Cup was announced yesterday.
Having failed to make it for the 2013 Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament last year after losing to Namibia in the final at Prince Edward, Zimbabwe are keen to make it this year.
London Qualifiers
Pool A: Scotland, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Georgia.
Pool B: Portugal, Spain, Tonga, Russia.
Zimbabwe Under-19 squad: L. Chikodzi (Old Georgians), B.Ruzvidzo (Eaglesvale), S.Roch (Hellenic) M.Vangue (Prince Edward), N.Chibuwe (Hillcrest College), N.Chapereka (Watershed), G.Phiri (Peterhouse), I.Surtees (Old Georgians), T.Musakanda (Prince Edward), T.Zakeyo (UCT), T.Mujeni (St Georges College), I.Nyakamadza (Churchill), T.Kumadiro (Churchill), A.Mataga (HSC), B.Mendelsohn (Sharks Academy), M.Ndlela (Churchill), Maparura (Peterhouse), L.Mudzova (Dale College), M.Gazimbi (MCC), T.Munyimbiri (MCC), T.Zimuto (MCC), T.Gwisai (MCC), G.Spapati (Churchill), C.Chivengah (Tuks), D.Nyamukamba (St Georges), Z.Kufa (St Georges), N.Tanyanyiwa (Eaglesvale) L.Mashiri (Eaglesvale), A.Chikomo (Kyle College), L.Sibanda (Old Georgians), S.Dlamini (Prince Edward), Shepherd (Prince Edward), J.Mutukwa (St Georges College), Z.Nel (St Johns College), C.Chasaruka (St Johns Chikwaka), T.Gonese (Hillcrest College), K.Burger (St Johns College), E.Snyman (St Johns College), S.Coles (St Johns College), R.Gona (St Johns College), N.Chinorwadza (Watershed College), B.Scheepers (Falcon College), W.Mashinge (Watershed College), V.Dlelo (Plumtree), K.Mutungi (Watershed College), Muringani (Peterhouse), D.Moolman (Peterhouse), B.Mandivenga (Peterhouse), T.Dhliwayo, M.Kanokanga, P.Zvarivadza, D.Mnensa, C.Moyo, T.Chipadza, J.Madanhire (Watershed College), M.Chieza, T.Fransisco (Vainona), J.Ndlovu (Gifford), H.Chachona (Allan Wilson), T.Jumo (St Ignatius College), T.Chideme (Kyle College), M.Mashaya (St Georges College), M.Chimedza (MCC), B.Boshi (St Georges College), J.Zietsman (Falcon College), A.Sipriano (Prince Edward).
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter