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Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
THE Zambezi Cheetahs are set to begin their training camp today in preparation for the Rugby Africa Sevens tournament to be held in Tunisia from October 13-14.
Defending champions Uganda will be out to defend their title for the third year in a row against last year’s runners-up Zimbabwe, Kenya, Madagascar, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Botswana, Ghana, Mauritius and Namibia.
Zimbabwe sevens’ coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba is confident they will give a good account of themselves in this year’s continental sevens’ rugby.
He said the tournament was important, as it is the pathway to qualifying for the Sevens World Cup to be held in Hong Kong next year.
“The tournament itself is very important, not only for being the African champions, but it’s also a pathway to qualification for the Hong Kong Sevens, which is a series qualifier. It’s quite an important competition as the top two teams will get to represent the continent in the Hong Kong rugby series,” said Nyamutsamba.
The Cheetahs played in a number of competitions, which include the Maseru and Lusaka Sevens tournaments, as part of preparations for the Rugby Africa Sevens.
Nyamutsamba said he is satisfied with his team’s performances in these preparatory tournaments, although the task ahead will not be easy for his players, as they have to beat Tunisia.
“The last time we met Tunisia, our game actually went to extra time last year and we won in extra time. But I’m confident the guys will do very well despite the long journey we will travel to Tunisia,” he said.
Nyamutsamba, a former Zimbabwe international who believes in blending youth and experience in his squad, has been on a rebuilding exercise following the retirement of a number of key and experienced players that carried the national team for many years.
Despite scanty resources, Nyamutsamba has managed to build a team that has raised the country’s flag high in major tournaments. — @khumzallen
Online Reporter