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Mehluli Sibanda
THE Zimbabwe national sevens rugby team final squad of 12 to participate in the Confederation of African Rugby Africa Cup set for Prince Edward on Saturday and Sunday will be announced today.

A 17-member team went into camp at Innovate High Performance Centre on Monday with United Kingdom-based Hilton Mudariki play maker/scrum-half the only player yet to report for national duty.

The charismatic Mudariki is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow for the tournament as his club released him late.

Zimbabwe Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba said Mudariki has always been part of the plans and with the injury to South Africa-based Lenience Tambwera, it is highly likely Mudariki would be in the final squad.

“We have to decide on whether Hilton makes it into the squad, he has always been part of our plans, he is still in contention for both tournaments (Africa Cup and Port Elizabeth Sevens).

“Our preparations have gone according to plan so far, we trained first two days then today (yesterday) we just had a gym session only in the morning then rested whole afternoon.

“We resume training tomorrow(today) then the final squad is going to be announced at lunchtime after which only the chosen players will remain in camp,’’ said Nyamutsamba.

The Zimbabwe Cheetahs then shift base to train at Prince Edward from tomorrow to have a feel of the tournament venue.

Botswana, Namibia and Kenya have arrived in the country with the other national teams expected to arrive today and tomorrow.

Jacques Leitao, who has led the Cheetahs for years, is once again expected to lead the team to glory on home turf.

Other players with vast experience in the shorter, fast paced format of the game include Gardner Nechironga, Fortune Chipendu, Njabulo Ndlovu, Wesley Mbanje and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo. Zimbabwe have been drawn in Pool A together with Kenya, Namibia, Uganda, Cote d’lvoire and Nigeria.

In Pool B, there is South Africa Sevens Academy coached by former Blitzbokke player Marius Schoeman, Tunisia, Botswana, Zambia, Senegal and Madagascar.

The tournament will determine additional countries from Africa at the Hong Kong World Sevens Series main circuit qualifier.

With South Africa and Kenya already full members, all Zimbabwe have to do to qualify for Hong Kong is making it to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup.

Zimbabwe Cheetahs training squad:

Jacques Leitao(captain), Fortune Chipendu, Gardner Nechironga, Stephan Hunduza, Hilton Mudariki, Takudzwa Kamudire, Teddy Hwata, Njabulo Ndlovu, Boyd Rouse, Mkhululi Ndlela, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Tyler Rowe, Graham Kaulback, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Riaan O’Neil, Shayne Makombe, Wesley Mbanje, Kilvan Magunje.

Head Coach: Gilbert Nyamutsamba

Assistant Coach: Daniel Hondo

Team Manager: Steve McDonald