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Paul Munyuki Harare Bureau
DESPITE putting up good performances over the weekend, Zimbabwe’s senior men’s and women’s Sevens rugby sides returned home empty handed. The Cheetahs were in Windhoek, Namibia, where they made it to the final of the SAFland Sevens International tournament but lost 24-0 to South Africa Academy.But their showing in the tournament replicated their 2009 performance at the same competition where back then they made it to the final and again lost to South Africa.
Having made it past a tough Naka Bulls from South Africa in the semi-final, Zimbabwe could not maintain a winning form they had set in the tournament having won all their pool games. The tournament was one of the preparatory games for the Cheetahs who will also be taking part at the Olympic qualifiers set for South Africa in November
With South Africa having already made it for next year’s edition of the Olympics, Kenya are Zimbabwe’s biggest rival in the qualifiers and the two sides have a chance of playing each other next weekend at the Safari Sevens in Nairobi, Kenya. Cheetahs coach Daniel Hondo said they are not taking any of the games lightly.
“We’re preparing for the Games and such tournaments will be a good warm-up platform for us ahead of some high profile matches like the 2016 Olympics qualifiers set for November,” said Cheetahs coach Daniel Hondo. From Namibia, the Cheetahs will return home for a few days before they head off to Kenya for the Safaricom Safari Sevens set for this weekend.
Led by stand-in captain Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, the Cheetahs were in top form winning all three games starting with a 24-7 win over Northern All Stars, before a 32-5 thumping of Namibia Invitation and rounded up their group games with a 26-0 win over Poland. “Naka Bulls from SA are a very elite club and almost beat the Blitzbokke (Academy) in the group stages but we’re not a physical side and our strength is speed.
“The trio of Takudzwa Francisco, Tadious Dzandiwandira (Whata) and Takudzwa Kumadiro will earn their first caps for the Cheetahs as we prepare for the Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers. “The boys (Cheetahs) played well, took each game as it came and improved in terms of form also as the day (day one) progressed. It was the biggest game so far this weekend so it’s all or nothing,” said Chitokwindo.
In the Women’s section, the Pangolins fell 39-0 to Kenya in the Olympic qualifier — ruling them out of the Rio 2016 Games. On their way to the semi-final, Zimbabwe women’s side only lost to hosts South Africa who overpowered them 33-0 from a half time score of 14-0 but got the better of Zambia (37-0), Namibia (33-12) and Uganda (19-5) to finish second in their pool.
This performance was good enough to see Zimbabwe make it to the semi-final but they were unfortunate not to make it past Kenya.
They were however the only side that offered some tougher opposition to dominant South Africa in the competition.
Zimbabwe, ranked fourth in Africa, was drawn in Pool A together with Uganda, Namibia, Zambia and hosts South Africa, while Pool B consisted of Tunisia, Botswana, Madagascar, Kenya and Senegal.
The Pangolins comprised of veterans who included Octavia Munhamo-Chikukura, Precious Marange, Abigail Gondo, Margaret Magwaro, Simbisai Kadye and Charity Mucucuti.
Cheetahs Results: Won 24-7 v Northern All Stars; Won 32-5 v Namibia Invitation; Won 26-0 v Poland; Lost 24-0 v SA Academy (final).
Women’s Results: Won 37-0 v Zambia; Lost 33-0 v SA; Won 33-12 v Namibia; Won 19-5 v Uganda; Lost 39-0 v Kenya (Semi-final)
derick.khumalo