Cheetahs off to World Cup
AS ZIMBABWE’s Cheetahs head off to San Francisco for the Rugby Sevens World Cup, their coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba believes it is the best platform to show the global family that the game is alive in this country.
Nyamutsamba and his men are expected to fly to the United States this afternoon ahead of the World Cup showcase scheduled for the AT&T Park in San Francisco, United States on July 20-22.
They will open their campaign with clash against Wales on July 20.
With nothing coming out from the Sport and Recreation, even in the form of a send-off, some “Friends of the Cheetahs’’ instead came together on Thursday night to hold a small reception at Old Georgians Sports Club and bid the team farewell.
The Cheetahs have barely received the recognition that any World Cup-bound national side deserves but their coach, to his eternal credit, has ensured that such off-field events do not cloud their focus and, unlike their Sables counterparts, they have “kept their eyes on the prize’’.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani, his deputy Losson Mtongwiza, general manager Sifiso Made, businessman Farai Matsika and former Cheetahs manager Bruce Hobson were among those who graced the send-off function.
Nyamutsamba insisted that his side would not be in San Francisco to make up the numbers.
On their last dance with the World Cup in 2013, the Cheetahs recorded their best finish at the 24-nation tournament when ending in 13th place, a vast improvement from their 2009 finish at the same global showcase where they had finished 17th after winning the Bowl.
Nyamutsamba, who was in charge at that 2013 tourney, will be hoping more or the same from the Class of 2018 for who much will depend on the exploits of German-based winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo in the search for tries.
“Our days in camp have gone very well. We have hit the targets that we had set,’’ he said.
“We should have three more training days when we land in San Francisco and by then we should be polishing up.
‘’Yes, we always want and appreciate more time with the team as teams that train a bit longer and stay together are more coordinated in their game structures and do end up playing better.
“However, we have done the most with the time that we had and I am sure we going to put on a good performance.’’
The former Zimbabwe international said his troops were ready to hold their own at the tournament and he also paid special tribute to the individuals and organisations who have assisted his Cheetahs.
“To our fans that have always been loyal and good to us, we are very grateful and thankful and for our fans and country as a whole the boys are prepared and they going to put on their best performance.
“We are going to compete, we are going to show and prove that there is a hell lot of good rugby players and that there is rugby in Zimbabwe.
“And we thank you all for the support, it is appreciated and we could not be at this stage without your support,’’ Nyamutsamba said.
All but one player – United States-based speedster Shingi Hlanguyo – have been in camp in Harare and are set to be part of the cast that will fly out via Addis Ababa this afternoon with their confidence high.