Cheetahs in bullish mood IT'S A MEN'S GAME . . . An online flier, advertising the high-profile CAR Sevens tourney set for Harare this weekend, which features Cheetahs' star Graham Kaulback, and local rugby fans will be hoping that their men rise to the occasion
IT'S A MEN'S GAME . . . An online flier, advertising the high-profile CAR Sevens tourney set for Harare this weekend, which features Cheetahs' star Graham Kaulback, and local rugby fans will be hoping that their men rise to the occasion

IT’S A MEN’S GAME . . . An online flier, advertising the high-profile CAR Sevens tourney set for Harare this weekend, which features Cheetahs’ star Graham Kaulback, and local rugby fans will be hoping that their men rise to the occasion

Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cheetahs are bullish that they will do well at the Confederation of African Rugby Africa Cup Sevens tournament in Harare on Saturday and Sunday. Countries that will take part in the high-profile tourney include hosts Zimbabwe, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Namibia, Uganda, South Africa, Tunisia, Botswana, Zambia, Senegal and Madagascar.

Cheetahs skipper Jacques Leitao said his team had the pedigree to win the tournament which will also be used as a qualifier for the Hong Kong Sevens World Sevens Series qualifiers in March next year.

The Hong Kong Sevens will again be used as a qualifying event for the World Rugby Sevens series membership status.

Zimbabwe will have to make it into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup to secure their place in Hong Kong.

“We are glad to be playing at home, it will be a tough competition and it will be good to see how far we go as we gear up for core status qualification,” Leitao told zimbabwerugby.com

“Our preparations have been going on quite well so far and camp has been good but lots of hard work.

“It’s good to be amongst enthusiastic talented players, we are in good shape and I am sure that with the work we have put in we will give a good account of ourselves come Saturday.”

The Cheetahs skipper conceded that they will be under pressure, playing in front of their home fans.

“We understand the pressure that is on us, we have played in front of the home crowd before but it will be tough because we will be playing some teams, for the first time, but we hope to have a good outing. We would like to win the Cup, that is our aim so we will go out there and give it our best shot, remember we are aiming for a qualification spot to Hong Kong ,” Leitao said.

The team will, however, miss the services of Lenience Tambwera, who is down with an ankle injury.

Gilbert Nyamutsamba, the head coach, told zimbabwerugby.com he was confident his youthful side will represent the country well.

“We have called in a 17-player squad, they are mostly young players and we want them to gain experience from this tournament.

“It’s a very important tournament to us as we prepare for core status qualification and it will give us an opportunity to identify our strengths and weaknesses.

“It’s a platform for us to build a side that will compete at any stage,” said Nyamutsamba.

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