‘Hong Kong owes us much’

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
IT is not how they are going to start, but how they will finish that matters for Zimbabwe Sevens rugby side if they are to make it as a World Series core member this weekend.

Having failed to qualify over the last four years, most painfully for the Daniel Hondo-coached side where they lost to a Russian buzzer-beater in the Hong Kong second-tier final, the Cheetahs are aiming for to put up a clean act.

Taking over the captain’s armband from Hilton Mudariki, who did not travel with the team, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo says the Hong Kong leg of the World Series “owes us so much” given the losses they have suffered previously at the same tournament

“It’s not going to be easy with teams like (favourites) Japan and Spain involved too, but we’re prepared. This tournament owes us so much.

“There’s certainly a feeling that we need to redeem ourselves. We have lost so many finals in the last minute so winning here and becoming a core team would mean everything to everyone,” he told the Asian media.

Zimbabwe plunge into battle tomorrow in yet another attempt to try and be among the elite Sevens teams and success here would mean they become the third African team on the series after South Africa and Kenya.

But as has always been the case, it is not going to be easy for the Cheetahs despite the fact that they have been drawn in a rather comfortable Pool E where they will take on dark horses Germany, debutantes Cayman Islands and hosts Hong Kong.

Old Georgians’ and Sables fly-half Lenience Tambwera, who has grown to be an integral part of the Cheetahs squad, feels they just have to stick to their game and not succumb to pressure.

“Our main goal here is too win, change our lives and make the nation proud. Despite the fact that we were in the final last year, there is a lot of expectation from the Zimbabwe rugby community and the world at large, but we are not under pressure.

“There’s a great vibe here, everyone is looking forward to go up the stage and lift the cup on the final day. I believe we will not repeat that same performance, we are more prepared now and we will take anything that will come our way. When the buzzer goes we will finish as the second best,” said the former Airforce back-liner. Tambwera added that they had a slow start to their camp in Hong Kong and the selected squad will give their all despite missing Mudariki.

“(The) first one (training session) was a slow start but we then geared up very well. The evening session was spot on we did it well. We (are) just going to miss him but I don’t think it will affect us… We have good depth.”

Cheetahs squad

Tafadzwa Chitokwindo (captain), Jacques Leitao, Njabulo Ndlovu, Boyd Rouse, Shayne Makombe, Biselele Tshamala, Stephan Hunduza, Kilvan Magunje, Lenience Tambwera, Riaan O’Neil, Kuda Chiwanza, Manasah Sita.