adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
CHEETAHS coach Gilbert “Gidza” Nyamutsamba has been relieved of his duties as Liam Middleton takes over as the Zimbabwe Sevens rugby team coach. Middleton, who has been in charge of the Cheetahs since late last year, will double up as the director of rugby and also run the Cheetahs show.
Harare Sports Club centre and former Cheetahs backliner Daniel Hondo, who retired from the Sevens game at the end of last year’s World Cup tournament in Russia, will be working in the shadows of Middleton and is tipped to be the next Cheetahs coach. This means Middleton will be in charge of the Cheetahs today when the Zimbabwe Sevens international invitation tournament kicks-off at Harare Sports Club.
Last year Nyamutsamba did not travel with the Cheetahs for their final tournament of the year in Port Elizabeth.
But it seems the ZRU’s position finally came to light yesterday when Middleton appeared at the pre-tournament press conference introducing himself to the media as the Cheetahs coach.
“Gilbert (Nyamutsamba) is no longer the team coach and I will be in charge of the team at this tournament and yes I am now the coach,” said Middleton in the presence of ZRU marketing and media consultant David Crouch.
Middleton indicated that Nyamutsamba, however, still remains a part of the Cheetahs technical committee.
“The same technical team that travelled to Port Elizabeth last year is the one that will be in charge this weekend and this includes Daniel Hondo who we are working with and grooming so that he takes over as the next Cheetahs coach.
“But Gilbert will still be on the Sevens selection panel as he remain as one of the Cheetahs selectors, and he will be in charge of the Bulawayo high performance centre and I will double both as the director of rugby and Cheetahs coach.”
However, Cheetahs chairman Donald “Brasco” Mangenje, professed ignorance over the changes.
“I am not sure of those developments. I have been out of town and if there are any changes I am yet to get an update as the Cheetahs chairman.
“Maybe they spoke about it but I have not heard a word from the Union,” said the former Cheetahs and Harare Sports Club scrummy.
This is not the first time that Middleton has been involved with the Cheetahs having been in charge of the side before passing the baton to Nyamutsamba in 2010.
Online Reporter