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The tournament was initially set to take place as a field run, on the cricket pitch, for the International tournament.
But, with a cricket game at the same location, the tournament has been drawn back to the traditional rugby field.
Hosts Harare Sport Club and Old Georgians are the biggest contenders for the title after having won a tournament in the past two weekends.
But Sport Club are leading on the log standings above Old Georgians.
The defending champions have vowed to make life difficult not only for Sport Club but all the teams they will face in their quest for glory.
Old Georgians have, in their ranks, a number of national team players, who include Justin Coles and Chipendu while Jacques Leitao is expected to bounce back today after having being shown a red card two weeks ago at Old Georgians.
“We have experience in our side and I am sure that will win the games for us. “There are a number of national team players in our side and, given that we also have a better forwards’ pack, we have all the reasons to go all the way to the final. “We have been seriously preparing for this tournament knowing that whoever wins it between us and Sport Club will be the champion and, as far as I know, every one in our side would like to lift that cup and maintain dominance in the game,” said Chipendu.
However, in the opening leg of the series, the Dragons lost to Busters in the semi-final, something that reminds Chipendu that anything is possible in the game as smaller teams are developing.
“That was a painful defeat and I am sure that game was a wake-up call for us as it was a sign that the game is changing and any team can cause an upset so we don’t have to take anyone for granted.
“But I am loving the fact that Police, Airforce and Busters are playing well because this will better our game as a nation and at one time it was Sports Club who dominated Sevens because they had the majority of their players in the national team.”
The cast of players included Allan Mdehwa, Willis Magasa, Tafadzwa Mhende, Cleopas Makotose, Daniel Hondo and Tangai Nemadire.
Makotose, Hondo and Nemadire are still part of the national side.
Magasa was forced into retirement following a shoulder injury, Mdehwa due to age while Mhende has been sidelined and is recovering from a shin injury he suffered on duty with the Cheetahs two years ago in Zambia. While these changes have been affecting Sports Club, a number of players from Old Georgians took the opportunity and capitalised to make it into the Cheetahs squad.
“We will take every game as it comes but at the end of the day it will all come down to experience and given that we have a stronger forwards’ pack that also has a lot of experience on the international scene we will lift the cup.
“I am not writing anyone off here because Sport Club still have Hondo, Makotose, Nemadire and a number of other talented players.” Chipendu believes the upcoming Spar International Sevens tournament, scheduled for the Sport Club cricket pitch next weekend, has sparked teams into playing well during this series. Everyone want to play for their national team so the tournament has come more as an incentive for the players as they would also like to play in an international tournament, be it for the Cheetahs or for the Goshawks.”
Online Reporter