adminClub on Saturday.
Earlier this year Nyamutsamba told The Herald he would be loyal to those who show dedication and hard work as the Cheetahs brace for the Sevens World Cup and International Rugby Board World Series tournaments.
“I am really looking forward to working with this group because there are a number of changes that have come about and because I have to be loyal to those players who have put in a lot of hard work and effort in preparing for the tournament,” said Nyamutsamba.
The side only has three foreign-based players — former Young Sables forward Tapiwa “Homely” Tsomondo, Njabulo Ndlovu, and gasman Tafadzwa “MaRubber” Chitokwindo.
Chitokwindo is one of the players who did not make it into the Cheetahs at this tournament last year and he will be joined by the likes of Lucky Sithole, Stephan Hunduza, Gardner Nechironga, Tsomondo and Njabulo Ndlovu.
It is these players who complete the changes that have seen Manasah Sita, Mike Morris, Graham Kaulback, Gerald Sibanda, Jonathan McWade, Wensley Mbanje and Justin Coles being sidelined.
Germany-based Sita, Kaulback, and Mbanje are out due to injuries while Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Kelvin Magunje, Jafet Ndebele, Daniel Hondo, Tangai Nemadire retain their places in the side.
For Hunduza, this will be his first tournament in the Cheetahs’ colours while this will be the second for Tsomondo who travelled with the side to Port Elizabeth last year for the Sevens leg of the World Series in South Africa.
“Most of the players in the side are locally-based athletes and because we have to be progressing the changes were necessary and I hope that the boys we have will perform to the standard we are looking for,” said Nyamutsamba.
“But we also have to bear mind that we are also looking ahead for the Hong Kong tournament where we have core membership qualifiers and we will also be looking at the likes of Justin Coles, Garth Zieglar and Wes Mbanje.”
The coach said Coles is out because he has just signed a new contract while Zieglar, who travelled with the Cheetahs to Port Elizabeth last year, has been named in the Goshawks side.
Mbanje is out because of a knock on the knee.
The Cheetahs have been dawn in Pool A of the tournament where they come as top seeds as they are the defending champions having won the inaugural event last year at the same venue. The four pool tournament sees Zimbabwe taking on a tough Georgia and Zambia drawn in the same group with Kenya, Hong Kong and Zambezi Warriors making up Pool B.
The battle of the South Africans will be in Pool C where Blue Bulls Academy, Leopards and the South Africa Academy square up while Zimbabwe second string side the Goshawks, Mpumalanga Pumas and Buffaloes complete the games.
“We are aiming at topping the group of course but Georgia will not be pushovers, it is going to be a tough game but we just have to do ourselves a favour by winning all the group games. But Georgia will not be the only team that will provide huge competition, we also have to look out for the likes of the South African Academy who gave us stiff competition last year,” said the former Cheetahs and Sables winger.
The Cheetahs are expected to go into camp today starting with a light training session as they are coming from the weekend where most of the players took part in the national trials.
Zimbabwe Squads
Cheetahs
Fortunate Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Japhet Ndebele, Lucky Sithole, Kelvin Magunje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Stephan Hunduza, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Njabulo Ndlovu Daniel Hondo.
Coach: Gilbert Nyamutsamba
Manager: Bruce Hobson
Goshawks
Sean Chigumbura, Farai Jijita, Dan Nichols, Boyd Rous, Teddy Hwata, Carter Makwasha, Kuda Chiwanza, David Cloete, Lloyd Machinjaire, Shayne Makombe, Lance Chikodzi, Craig Elcombe.
Coach: John Ewing
Manager: Basil Dingiswayo
Zambezi Warriors
Percy, Kwenda, Eddy Manyere, Ruben Kruger, Ian Armstrong, Nelson Madida, Coutney Watsai, Tino Gurure, Walter Gonde, Dando Ndlovu, Denver Chigege, Charles Gwanzura, Tawanda Chowe, Richard Chigumba, Tatas Matataguta, Gazza Crabbe.
Tournament Draw
Pool A: Zimbabwe, Georgia, Zambia
Pool B: Hong Kong, Kenya, Zambezi Warriors
Pool C: Blue Bulls, Leopards, SA Academy
Pool D: Goshawks, Pumas, Buffaloes
Online Reporter