adminSenior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE national Sevens captain Hilton Mudariki has described it as an honour to make a return from injury to lead the Cheetahs at the HSBC Sevens World Sevens Series South Africa leg set for Cape Town on Saturday and Sunday. The Sevens local based players depart for South Africa tomorrow where they will link up with those domiciled in that country who includes Mudariki.
Mudariki has been sidelined for the past two months by a hamstring injury picked while on national duty in September. He has since made full recovery to captain the Daniel Hondo coached Cheetahs at the South African leg which has been moved from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town at Cape Town Stadium.
The 23-year-old Mudariki who plays centre in the shortened version of the game expressed his gratefulness to his physiotherapist at the University of Johannesburg, Chris Hopwood for working hard to get him ready for the international competition.
“I have recovered, I am really grateful for having Chris (the physio at UJ) who worked really hard with me to get me ready. It’s been a tough eight weeks but I am happy to be back. It’s always an honour to represent your country and to captain the Cheetahs at the inaugural Cape Town Sevens is a massive privilege,’’ said Mudariki.
At last year’s edition of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the Cheetahs then under the mentorship of Gilbert Nyamutsamba lost all the five matches they played. They were beaten 31-5 by Argentina, drubbed 50-0 by Australia and humbled 19-7 by Portugal to finish bottom of pool B with a paltry three points.
The Zimbabweans lost 21-14 to Samoa in Shied quarterfinals and 22-5 by Portugal in the Bowl last eight to return home empty handed.
Mudariki said they will improve on their display this time around.
“We have struggled in the last few years in South Africa so we really want to improve in our performances,’’ said Mudariki.
From the team which finished second to Kenya at the Africa Olympic qualifiers held in Johannesburg last month, speedster Tafadzwa Chitokwindo is ruled out by injury, sustained while turning out for the Sables in Hong Kong, Manasah Sita is unavailable due to examinations while Kilvan Magunje is seized by school commitments.
The reinforcements have come in the form of Takudzwa Francisco, Kudakwashe Chiwanza and Mudariki. Hondo disclosed that the preparations have been with the training for locally based players.
Cheetahs’ squad
Tapiwa Tsomondo, Jacques Leitao, Boyd Rouse, Takudzwa Francisco, Stephan Hunduza, Shayne Makombe, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Njabulo Ndlovu, Graham Kaulback, Lenience Tambwera, Hilton Mudariki(captain), Riaan O’Neill.
Online Reporter