adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
CHEETAHS newboy Riaan O’Neil is confident Zimbabwe will withstand the pressure of being hosts and emerge victorious in the Confederation of the African Cup Sevens tournament which begins at Prince Edward School today.The hosts are in what their coach called a Group of Death.
“We have had good preparations and the boys are ready and everybody is looking forward to the games today,” said O’Neil.
“The South African side is a good team and it is definitely going to be a tough game.”
Botswana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and hosts Zimbabwe are taking part in the tourney.
South African Academy vice-captain Sandile Ngcobo feels the Zimbabwe Cheetahs could give them a good run.
“We were training with our senior side, the national team, which is a good thing for us,” said Ngcobo.
“We have no injuries and we brought all the players and the only team which may give us competition is Zimbabwe. Namibia and Kenya are also good and if they have brought their regular players it will be tough to beat them.
“The people of Zimbabwe have received us well and we are ready for to play.”
The visiting teams were screened for Ebola upon their arrival at the Zimbabwe International Airport.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union general manager Sifiso Made said everything was fine.
“The government has put up screening points and the players were all screened and they are fine,” said Made.
“The ZRU communicated with these teams before they came here and they were tested 21 days before heading to Zimbabwe and also they were also screened at the entry points.
“The rugby fans should not fear anything; they must come in numbers and support the nation. We received Senegal and Nigeria at the Harare International Airport and we are looking forward to the tournament tomorrow (today).”
Zambian captain Larry Kaushuki said he was happy that all the players were screened.
“We were all screened at the Airport and we are not worried about Ebola and we are looking forward to the tournament.”
Zimbabwe Cheetahs squad:
Jacques Leitao (captain), Fortune Chipendu, Gardner Nechironga, Stephan Hunduza, Njabulo Ndlovu, Boyd Rouse, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Graham Kaulback, Riaan O’Neil, Shayne Makombe.
Online Reporter