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THE Zimbabwe national Sevens rugby team, Cheetahs came into camp in Harare today as they intensify preparations for tournaments in Namibia and Kenya this month. Cheetahs coach Daniel Hondo has called up 15 players and the final squad of 12 will be named on Wednesday ahead of the team’s departure for Namibia on Thursday. Hondo has called-up South Africa-based players Biselele Tshamala, Shayne Makombe, Riaan O’Neil and Hilton Mudariki.
Regular Cheetahs skipper Jacques Leitao is not available for the trip due to work commitments and University of Johannesburg scrumhalf Mudariki is most likely to lead the team.
The Namibia event, bankrolled by the Safland Property Group takes place on Friday and Saturday. According to reports from Namibia, teams that have confirmed their participation are Namibia, Zimbabwe, Poland, Northern All Stars, Bulls, South Africa, Kenya and Botswana.
From Namibia, the Cheetahs will return home for a few days before they head off to Kenya for the Safaricom Safari Sevens set for the beginning of October.
Hondo said while they wanted to do well in Namibia and Kenya, they had their sights firmly set on the 2016 Olympic qualifiers for Africa set for Johannesburg, South Africa on 14 and 15 November. At the qualifiers, one team from the continent will automatically book a spot at the Rio Olympics while the runners-up head into a playoff against second placed teams from other continents.
With South Africa having qualified through the World Rugby series for last season, Zimbabwe’s biggest threat at the African qualifier will be Kenya.
Hondo disclosed that he is taking his time in coming up with the final squad for the qualifiers which will only be announced after the domestic Summer Series next month.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe women’s sevens rugby team, the Lady Cheetahs is expected to begin its preparation today for the Africa Women’s Olympic qualifiers to be held at the Barnard Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 26 to 27 September.
Initially, the preparations were scheduled to start earlier this month, but the plans were shelved due to financial constraints.
Abigail Kawonza, the national team coach has named a 15-member provisional squad which is a mixture of both youth and experience.
However, the Lady Cheetahs will not be camping as has been the norm, but will be coming in for sessions from their homes.
Team manager Susan Kamukai said only 12 players will leave for the qualifiers, pointing out that the final team is to be announced on Tuesday.
“There is a 15-member provisional squad that is expected in camp today, the final 12 which will be going for the qualifiers will be announced on Tuesday,” said Kamukai.
The final team will leave for the games on Thursday morning and will have a one day rest before playing their first game against the host nation South Africa at the Barnard Stadium.
“We have been training every week from February and considering the time we have been preparing for the qualifications, I think we are ready and we are aiming high. It is no secret that we will be going to South Africa with the main objective of qualifying for the Olympics. We have done a lot of preparations and the rest will be left in the field of play come the day of the competition,” added Kamukai.
As part of their preparations the women will today play against a men side Mbare Academy at Harare Sports Club.
The Lady Cheetahs, who are ranked fourth in the continent, have been drawn in the same group with Uganda, Namibia, Zambia and hosts South Africa. The other group of the 10-nation tournament consists of Tunisia, Botswana, Madagascar, Kenya as well as Senegal.
Lady Cheetahs provisional squad:
M Magwaro, A Gondo, T Chitewe, S T Mucucuti, H Marange, S Kadye, R Musere, O Chikukura, R Chigumbo, P Pazani, C Ngwende, P Marange, R Chabveka, C Malinga, G Masora.
Cheetahs training squad
Boyd Rouse, Biselele Tshamala, Shayne Makombe, Hilton Mudariki, Tadius Hwata, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Stephan Hunduza, Graham Kaulback, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Lenience Tambwera, Kilvan Magunje, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Lucky Sithole, Tendai Dzongodza, Riaan O’Neil.
Online Reporter