adminbeen in the Cheetahs technical set-up for more than four years as assistant coach — replaced England-based Liam Middleton, who was appointed the director of coaching.
Middleton was last month named as coach of the Sevens side but there have been concerns about the workload that he carries given his commitments in the United Kingdom.
Nyamutsamba had always been the one who prepared the players for the international tournaments, running around to make sure the players are fit before they embarked on the respective tours.
He has travelled with the Cheetahs mostly for assignments in Africa where he would take care of the team given that Middleton normally didn’t travel for such assignments.
Middleton would then join the Cheetahs for the overseas assignments, especially on the International Rugby Board Sevens Series legs in Hong Kong, Dubai and South Africa.
However, Nyamutsamba proved a capable coach on the occasions that he was with the Cheetahs as stand-in gaffer and impressed in 2009.
Then he travelled with the Cheetahs to Namibia for the Trustco Sevens tournament, Middelburg (South Africa), Safari Sevens in Kenya and the Castle Sevens in Zambia.
His technical expertise at the Trustco Sevens in Namibia has always been a talking point after the Cheetahs went all the way to the final before losing to South Africa.
He proved he was an asset as he inspired his side to give World Cup finalists Argentina a tough time in the pool stages, coming from behind to draw in the Pool C match, before they went on to beat the same side 19-14 in the semi-final.
Argentina were on fire that season as they had earlier won the USA leg of the IRB Sevens, ended as runners-up at the World Cup and a number of analysts felt Zimbabwe were in for a hiding.
But Nyamutsamba and his men proved everyone wrong.
Middleton’s absence from the Cheetahs during such times — whether by design or default — gave Nyamutsamba the exposure and experience he needed to lead the national team and at the weekend the Zimbabwe Rugby Union felt Nyamutsamba was now ripe for the job.
Before Nyamutsamba was involved in coaching, he was a winger/centre for Gweru Sports Club and then moved to Bulawayo where he featured for Busters.
He was an attacking player who combined commitment and bravery to plough through the opposition lines.
He also proved to be a controversial figure.
In 1999, Nyamutsamba was left out of the Cheetahs squad for the Safari Sevens in Kenya together with Arnold Takawira and Allan Mdehwa but still they found their way to the tournament.
On arrival in Nairobi, the then coach Mark Donato was surprised to see the trio in Lusaka Rugby Club colours and, to compound to Donato’s woes, the Cheetahs suffered two bad injuries.
Donato was left with no option but to call in some players but instead, he opted for players from English club Bristol, further snubbing the Zimbabwean trio.
But Nyamutsamba knew his time would come one day.
At the weekend, it all certainly came true.
His immediate task in the new position would be to lead the Cheetahs in a home challenge this weekend when they host the Spar Zimbabwe International Sevens tournament at Harare Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday.
With the Cheetahs and their developmental side, the Goshawks, expected to get into camp today, most of the foreign-based players are scheduled to join the local contingent today as well.
Some of the Cheetahs, including Justin Coles who was part of the Old Georgians side that won the local Summer Series at the weekend, are already in the country.
Foreign-based players, who include Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Mike Morris, Jonathan McWade and Graham Kaulback, were expected to have flown into the country yesterday.
However, South Africa-based Njabulo Ndlovu and Germany-based Gardner Nechironga have been ruled out after their clubs said they still needed their services.
Nechironga’s club mate Manasah Sita is expected in today.
The Cheetahs start camp with a fitness test to be conducted by Grant Mitchell before Nyamutsamba takes over for the remainder of the week, with training sessions at Old Georgians Sport Club twice per day.
Cheetahs Squad
Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Mike Morris, Manasah Sita, Justin Coles, Graham Kaulback, Kilvan Magunje, Daniel Hondo, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Jonathan Mcwade, Wesley Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
Goshawks Squad
Tolerance Zishe, Shingirai Mpofu, Stephan Hunduza, Shayne Makombe (Harare Sports Club), Josh Smallbones, Simba Gonese, Craig Elcombe, Scotty Jones, Liberty Mutowonzi, Wilson Seremani (Old Georgians), Patrick Tenesi, Kudzai Mashavi (Police Defenders), Loyd Machanjaira, Jafet Ndebele (Busters), Itai Vambe (Old Hararians), Kuda Chiwanza (Sharks Academy SA).
Online Reporter