adminThis makes it Zimbabwe’s fourth high-profile tournament ahead of the Sevens World Cup set for Moscow, Russia, in June and they have so far successfully taken part in the Hong Kong Sevens.
Captain Jacque Leitao and Njabulo Ndlovu have been dropped from the side that travels to Mombasa, opening the door for Shayne Makombe to earn his debut for the Cheetahs.
Zimbabwe have been drawn in Pool A of the competition where they are set to take on Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco and Kenya C side, Pool B consists of Tunisia, Namibia, Zambia and Kenya C while Nigeria, Madagascar, Uganda and Senegal.
“The tournament is largely meant for us to prepare for the World Cup because if we look at the composition of the teams, none of the African core IRB Sevens teams will be taking part in the event including the hosts Kenya who will be fielding their B and C sides.
“We are most likely going to name our side Wednesday (tomorrow) or Thursday and I think that we are not going to have any major changes to the side that travelled to Hong Kong but I am sure Njabulo will not be available due to educational commitments in South Africa,” said Cheetahs manager, Bruce Hobson.
Zimbabwe are upbeat following their successful campaign as they won the core membership qualifier tournament in Hong Kong that saw them make it for the final qualifiers in Europe next month.
“From Hong Kong we just took a few days break and we got back down to business in preparation for the Africa Cup and of course this is also part of our preparations for the core membership qualifiers and ultimately the World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Rugby Union workers finally returned to work last week.
The Union office staff were only paid at the end of last week and the ZRU has since relocated from Harare Sports Club offices, where they have been renting from Zimbabwe Cricket, and their new base is now in Alexandria Park.
ZRU general manager, Sifiso Made, said they were moving to Alexandria Park as they aim to cut expenses for the cash strapped rugby motherbody.
Online Reporter