No surprise inclusions in Cheetahs line up

Sevens tournament in Zambia when the travelling party was named yesterday.
The side will be led by captain Jacques Leitao while Lloyd Machanjaira and Jonathan McWade will come in in place of regulars Tangai Nemadire and Gerald Sibanda who will not be available for the tour.
The side is evenly balanced and Zimbabwe look set to defend their title.
Having won the Castle Sevens a record four times, Zimbabwe will, this year, be fielding a full-strength side as the results of this tournament will have an effect on the IRB seeding.
But the Goshawks side – who will be playing in the B Cartegory of the tournament that includes South African provincial sides and national second string sides – have a lot of changes from last year’s side.
Only three players survive from last year’s tour and these include St Johns’ College and Zimbabwe Under-20 centre Preston Bryant, Japhet Ndebele and former Under-19 winger Terence Kuvarega who traveled with Matabeleland Province.
However, Cheetahs manager Bruce Hobson believes enthusiasm will play a major role if they are to win the tournament and become the first side to lift the Cup five times.
“I am particularly impressed with the talent in the Goshawks side and I am sure they are one of the best sides that has come through over the past years.
“The good thing about this side is that this is the development stage and most of the players have come through from schools and those in the Cheetahs side have also come from the Goshawks.
“The likes of winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, who was with the Goshawks this time last year, have graduated into the senior side,” said Hobson.
The former Zimbabwe Rugby Union president is however, unmoved by the unavailability of some senior players.
“I am sure that is why we have a pool of players so that we can play around with them and if we look at the current side, I am sure there are a number of players that are able to fit into the shoes of the missing players.
“If we look at the current situation, we do not have Nemadire and Sibanda but there is Chitokwindo, Wes (Mbanje), Manasah and Justin, who are all wingers.
“There is also Lloyd coming into the side mainly as cover to Kaulback and Jonathan (McWade) playing cover to playmaker Daniel Hondo,” added Hobson.
Women’s coach Abby Govere will be taking charge of the Pangolins as head coach for the first time and she believes this tournament would be a good platform for her to learn the ropes.
“We have been involved in very intense training sessions in preparation for this tournament since July and we have put in a lot of hard of hard work and hours.
“But as a coach I am never impressed and would have wanted more time with the girls but this being my first tourney as the head coach it will be a good platform to see how we will do.
“We need to put up a strong performance because Zambia will be at home and they will play an aggressive game and will be very forceful but we need to start a war,” said Govere.
The women’s team is expected to leave today and will fly to Zambia while the Cheetahs and Goshawks will travel by road tomorrow morning.
Zimbabwe Squads
Cheetahs: Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (capt), Njabulo Ndlovu, Justin Coles, Manasah Sita, Graham Kaulback, Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga, Wes Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Jonathan McWade, Lloyd Machanjaira.
Goshawks: Jan Ferreira, Garath Meikle, Preston Bryant, Liberty Mutowoni, Joseph Nichols, Japhet Ndebele, Terence Kuvarega, Simba Gonese, Reginald Mutangadura, Dyla Bradshaw, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Samson Makuku.
Pangolins: Lucia Marisamhuru (capt), Abby Gondo, Precious Marange, Tatenda Chitewe, Rumbidzai Chabveka, Lilian Mapiye, Simbisai Kadye, Charity Mucucuti, Takunda Mpofu, Ashley Chitambira, Octavia Munhamo, Notando Ndlovu.
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