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DANIEL HONDO

Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Sevens rugby side – the Cheetahs – start their campaign for glory against a tricky Kenya Morans (development side) in the Safari Sevens rugby tournament this afternoon at the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. Zimbabwe have been drawn in Pool C where they will have to beat the challenge of the Morans in their opening game before taking on Uganda and wrapping up their pool games with a date against Samurai International.

The Morans’ performance at the Safari Sevens has been fair considering that they reached the Cup semis in 2013 before losing in Bowls semis last year, while the Cheetahs performance at the same tournament has been good. Zimbabwe are making a return to the Safari Sevens after a four-year absence and their record at the two-day event has been good given that they have reached the final in 1996, 2006 and 2007.

Under the guidance of coach Daniel Hondo – who is taking the tournament as a platform to expose his young talent ahead of their Rio 2016 Olympic qualifiers – the Cheetahs are tipped to do well.

Hondo has carried with him three young players who earned their debuts appearances last week at the SAFland Sevens tournament in Namibia – a crop of players he believes has a huge role to play in next year’s World Series qualifiers.

The three are Taddy Dzandiwandira, Taku Kumadiro and Takudzwa Francesco and Hondo has also made two changes to the side that went all the way to the final in Namibia. Former captain Jacques Leitao has come in for Biselele Tshamala while Kilvan Magunje replaces Shayne Ma- kombe.

Cheetahs winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo believes the new crop of players have a lot to offer in the Zimbabwe side. “Namibia was just the first tourney for them. I don’t think anyone would have asked more than what they showed over the (last) weekend. “Their enthusiasm was great, they adapted to the system instantly and very optimistic they will make names for themselves,” said the former Young Sables flyer.

Cheetahs Squad:
Lucky Sithole, Jacques Leitao, Boyd Rouse, Kilvan Magunje, Stephan Hunduza, Tadius Dzandiwandira, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Takuzwa Francisco, Hilton Mudariki (captain), Graham Kaulback, Kuda Chiwanza, Takudzwa Kumadiro.