Cheetahs lose key trio
THE Zimbabwe Cheetahs’ preparations for the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series have been rocked by the withdrawal of three key players, days before the team is expected to troop into camp.
A provisional 30-man squad has been released, with the three most notable omissions being that of Sevens’ talisman Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Blithe Masevere and Godfrey Muzanargwo. But despite the disappointment of missing some of his key arsenal, Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba is not panicking.
“We have sent a request to bring the boys into camp on Thursday (February 6). We are currently working on their visas and travel arrangements,” said Nyamutsamba.
“The goal is to have at least three days before the team departs for Chile for the Sevens Challenger Series.
“We have already received a couple of withdrawals from the likes of Chitokwindo, who cited club commitments, and the duo of Godfrey (Muzanargwo) and Blithe (Masevere), who will be taking part in the Varsity Cup and failed to get releases.
“We have been working with some youngsters and I am looking forward to giving them some much needed exposure and game time,” Nyamutsamba said.
Following a month-long trial period, the Cheetahs coach believes there is ample talent capable of providing cover for the missing trio.
“We have had similar problems over the years, where players are unable to report for camp due to either injury or club and work commitments.
“It is something we have to actively rectify by expanding our player base, hence the trials we embarked on this year.
“The response was overwhelming as over 160 players took part in the tournament-basis trials. We now have an active pool of about 35 players and we will be working with them for the duration of the year.
“A similar trials process will occur. The goal is to monitor, nurture and train these players throughout the year, giving them a chance to play tournaments as and when possible.
“As we look at young promising talent, this is part of our 2022 World Cup programme,” he said.
This month, the Cheetahs will be in action at the 2020 World Rugby Challenger Sevens Series, a 13-team tournament that will feature Brazil, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Tonga, Uganda, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.
They will compete over three rounds alongside three invitational teams that will come from the Americas, that is Colombia, Mexico and Paraguay.
After two rounds, the top eight core teams will then compete for a spot in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in the final playoff tournament at the Hong Kong Sevens in April, thereby replacing the bottom-placed core team the following season.
The first leg of the tournament will be held in Chile this month, with Zimbabwe pooled alongside hosts Brazil and Mexico.
Nyamutsamba has described the draw as fair. “To be honest, it’s a fair draw.
“We have adopted the simple target of ironing out our game rather than concentrating on what the opposition has or is doing.
“That said, I can tell you that Chile will be our toughest opponent given that they are at home and have had more time and a better road in their preparations.
“It is easier for them to assemble players. We have played them before and the result had a two-three-point margin. It won’t be easy.
“Brazil and Mexico are tricky too and we know very little about them. However, the fact that they will have a point to prove makes them dangerous,” he said.