adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere in PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa
CHEETAHS coach Liam Middleton has been impressed with the hard work that his team has been putting during their friendly matches against Fiji and the United States here as they prepare for the IRB Sevens Series that gets underway tomorrow.
The Cheetahs have been here since Monday and want to make a big impression at a tournament that has a homely touch for them at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
On Wednesday the team played two friendly matches against the United States and Fiji and the coach was impressed with the way his charges responded to the challenges.
“I am very happy with the team. During our practice, their performance was great and if they continue to play like they did against Fiji then we have a good chance,” said the Englishman. “The way they are learning is quite impressive. “We arrived here on Monday and we have been busy training so today we gave the boys a chance to rest before getting down to serious business this morning.
“Fortune Chipendo has been a good leader and we are happy with him. The tournament promises to be competitive, but we are going to do our best to win. “No injuries, at the moment, and that is a good sign for us especially for our young new players who are putting in a lot of effort.”
Middleton, who is also the Zimbabwe Rugby Union technical director, has included a sizeable crop of young players whom he believes will be able to stand the heat.
Zimbabwe Cheetahs Squad
Fortune Chipendo (captain), Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Boyd Rouse, Njabulo Ndlovu, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Biselele Tshamala, Kilvan Mangunje, Hilton Mudariki, Brandon Boshi, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire.
Coach: Liam Middleton.
Assistant coach: Daniel Hondo
Online Reporter