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Tinashe Kusema in Victoria Falls

Cheetahs …………………………..(0) 5

Kenya Shujas  ………………….(10) 10

CHEETAHS coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba was yesterday left with a lot to ponder as the Zimbabwe Cheetahs relinquished their Kwese Victoria Falls Sevens title to debutants Kenya Shijus.

The East Africans emerged victorious in a high octane final at Victoria Falls Primary School, putting a further dent on the country’s chances at next month’s Hong Kong Sevens tournament.

Momentary lapses in concentration, during the opening stages of the game, saw the Kenyans race into a 10-0 lead, with the visitors getting their tries from Amunga Levi Anyangu and Brian Naragwa.

Fortunately for the hosts Kenyan fly-half Kwemoi Washington missed both conversions.

It is a lead they held onto up to the half-time, before Zimbabwe came back from the breather a totally different outfit.

Sadly, an unconverted try by Riaan O’Niel was all they could muster as Boyd Rouse also failed to convert.

A visibly disappointed Nyamutsamba was at a loss for words after the game, preferring to concentrate on the positives rather than the result.

“There is so much to take away from this match and I would want to concentrate on the positives,” said Nyamutsamba.

“Yes, I would have liked to win it all, as it would have been a great confidence booster, but like I said the goal has always been the Sevens World Cup.

“The first thing I am grateful for is that we actually played a competitive tournament and given we have been inactive since last year one tournament is better than none.

“I am also pleased with the way my boys performed, both in the Cheetahs side and the others in the Goshawks and Zambezi Steelers.

“Everyone put their hand up, to be counted and played their hearts out.

“We had a couple of guys, like Connor Pritchard and Ziyanda Khupe, playing in their first tournament and the guys performed well beyond our expectations,” Nyamutsamba said.

Kenya’s coach Will Webster chipped in with glowing praise for Zimbabwe and the tournament.

“First of all, I am very pleased both in my boys’ performance and then actually winning the tournament.

“It’s been a phenomenal couple of days for us and this was the best way to cap it all off.

“We almost didn’t make it to the finishing line, what with Zimbabwe coming back at us strong in the second half and a couple of calls not going our way.

“Luckily, we had that 10-point cushion and my boys defended with heart today. “Zimbabwe are a very good side- strong, fast and very skilful – and we wish them the best in Hong Kong.

“Hopefully, they can win it all and qualify, so they join us on the circuit,” Webster said.