Cheetahs prowl Lusaka turf

Sevens tournament, hoping to grab their fifth title in the event.
The Cheetahs have won the title four times and share the record with South African side Mpumalanga Province.

This year they are expected to take on Madagascar, Namibia, hosts Zambia and Botswana in a round-robin format today.
Three other teams, including Uganda and Swaziland, pulled out of the tournament.
The new format being used this year means the Cheetahs will play in the Confederation of Africa Tournament today, before taking part in the Castle Sevens tomorrow and coach Gilbert “Gidza”

Nyamutsamba is confident his charges will be equal to the task.
With most of the players reporting for camp, the Cheetahs coach does not see any reason why his side should not win both titles although he feels Madagascar might give the Cheetahs a tough time.
As defending champions, a lot is expected of the Cheetahs, who have called in all their regular players for the tournament.

In the past the Cheetahs would take this tournament lightly but changes to the format, where this year’s tourney will have an impact on the IRB rankings, has resulted in most of the foreign-based players being summoned for national duty.
“I think this tournament is going to be a bit difficult because we are playing two tournaments here, one being the Africa Cup which has rankings, and the Castle Sevens which we are going to defend,” said Nyamutsamba.

“But all the same, we are going there for a win.
“We need to defend the Castle Sevens title and we need to win so that our side is on a good position on the rankings as well.
“As for the CAR tournament, most of the sides are not as good at Sevens as we are because we play in the IRB tournaments but I am sure we are likely to face a tough game from Madagascar and Namibia.

“Most of the players in the Namibia side play their rugby in South Africa, Madagascar are equally good but we won’t look at that because we are going for a win in both tournaments.”
Zimbabwe also have a number of their players coming from South Africa – Njabulo Ndlovu, the explosive Gardner Nechironga, Fortune Chipendu and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, who have a number of Sables’ caps.

Manasah Sita is plying his trade in Germany while the home-based contingent includes captain Jacques Leitao, playmaker Daniel Hondo from Harare Sports Club, winger Justin Coles and Lloyd Machanjaira who is set to get his first Cheetahs cap today.
Machanjaira has been involved in the Sevens game over the past few years but has never donned the Cheetahs’ jersey though he has represented the nation in the longer version of the game in the Victoria Cup.

And Nyamutsamba believes the winger is redy to get a feel of international Sevens.
“He surely has been in our system and for the past two years he has been playing for the Goshawks, Zimbabwe Sevens development side, and I am sure he is now ready for the big stage,” said Nyamutsamba.

“He has played for the Goshawks in the two past Zambian tournaments and he also has two other tournaments from the South African invitations and I am sure he will be good.”
Machanjaira got a place in the Cheetahs side after he shrugged off the challenge of winger Kudakwashe Chiwanza in the battle to replace the absent Gerald Sibanda.

But the Cheetahs are not the only Zimbabwean side at this tournament as they traveled with the Goshawks while the women’s side will be hoping to do well, too.
The Pangolins are coached by Abby Govere who will be on her first international assignment as head coach after a boardroom coup that saw former coach Nonsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda fall by the wayside.

Zimbabwe Squads
Cheetahs: Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (capt), Njabulo Ndlovu, Justin Coles, Manasah Sita, Graham Kaulback, Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga, Wes Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Jonathan McWade, Lloyd Machanjaira.
Goshawks: Jan Ferreira, Garath Meikle, Preston Bryant, Liberty Mutowoni, Joseph Nichols, Japhet Ndebele, Terence Kuvarega, Simba Gonese, Reginald Mutangadura, Dyla Bradshaw, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Samson Makuku.
Pangolins: Lucia Marisamhuru (capt), Abby Gondo, Precious Marange, Tatenda Chitewe, Rumbidzai Chabveka, Lilian Mapiye, Simbisai Kadye, Charity Mucucuti, Takunda Mpofu, Ashley Chitambira, Octavia Munhamo, Notando Ndlovu.