Cricket, soccer and tennis have so far failed to put forward Zimbabwe’s argument as one of the top contenders for global sporting recognition, as the national sides have failed dismally on the international scene.
After even the 2012 London Olympic Games team came back empty-handed, the Cheetahs have the challenge to perform beyond even their own expectations to show that not all is lost in Zimbabwean sport.
Not only that. As one of the four African representatives at this tournament alongside Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia, the Cheetahs will not only be doing it for Zimbabwe, but the rest of the continent as well, so the stakes are even higher. They have already been labelled no-hopers, but coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba believes the underdog tag will relieve them of the pressure going to the tournament, where they hope to reach the last four. To achieve their dream, the local side will first have to successfully negotiate their way out of a group that also has Kenya, Samoa and the Philippines. The Kenyans have a very strong rugby sevens background, ranked in the World Top 10 and should prove to be the Cheetahs’ strongest challengers.
Progressing from this group would mean the Zimbabweans would have done more than enough to make the world sit up and take notice. What happens thereafter would be a bonus.
Nyamutsamba has not taken any chances, assembling the best sevens rugby team available, although not making many changes to the team that secured qualification. Long-term captain, Jack Leatao, will once again lead the group. Regulars like Fortune Chipendo, Tangai Nemadire, Gardner Nechironga, Wesley Mbanje, and Gardner Nechironga also form part of a team that has played together for years and know each other well.
Also in the team are Mike Morris, Tafadzwa Chitongwindo, Lucky Sithole, Njabulo Ndlovu, Gath Zigler, and Kelvin Magunje, as the local side tries to wrestle the title won by Wales in 2009. Will the team do Zimbabwe proud at this premier international rugby sevens tournament?
Post published in: Football