Cheetahs struggle in Kenya

Sport Reporter

CHEETAHS head coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba is probably beating himself up for not fielding his all-star team at the ongoing Kenya Safari Sevens rugby tournament after his makeshift outfit had a difficult time during yesterday’s opening day.

At least seven first team players – Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Riaan O’Neil, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Connor Pritchard, Shingi Katsvere and Kudakwashe Chiwanza – were conspicuous by their absence due to either work, school or club commitments as well as injuries. Earlier on, team manager Donald Mangenje had explained the absence of the key men. “It is unfortunate that we will not travel with a few of our top stars, who all have either work, club or school commitments. “The good news is that most of them will be available for the Africa Cup Sevens tournament, which doubles as Olympic qualifiers. We could not have them for both the Kenya tournament and the Africa Cup in South Africa,” he said.

Emmanuel Zangari and Blithe Mavesere’s debut came to naught as the Cheetahs lost their three opening encounters against Seventise (24-0), Kenya’s developmental side KCB (19-12) and Spain (31-0). Compounding Nyamutsamba’s woes is the unavailability of break-out star and United States-based Shingi Hlanguyo, who has been ruled out of the Africa Cup due to a hamstring injury. “Both Shingi Hlanguyo and Katsvere have been nursing injuries, with Hlanguyo ruled out completely as he is unlikely to be fit in time.

“Katsvere has recovered and started light training, but we chose to rest him for the Kenya sevens,” Mangenje said. With games and camping sessions few and far between for the Cheetahs, the Kenya Safari could have come in handy for Nyamustamba’s charges given the erratic weather conditions and stiff competition on display at the tournament. With the Olympic qualifiers just around the corner, most nations are using this tournament to fine-tune their preparations.

The likes of Spain, Russia and South Africa are even adding some international flavour to proceedings. lncessant rains poured on the players yesterday, testing their mantle on a wet outfield.