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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
AFRICAN rugby Sevens champions – the Cheetahs – are set to be feted like kings on Thursday night when the Zimbabwe Rugby Union in conjunction with the Sevens committee host a dinner in their honour in Harare.

Although the Sables remain the country’s flagship team, Gilbert Nyamutsamba’s Cheetahs have been the best performing national rugby side in the last few years and underlined their qualities by qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, staged in San Francisco, United States.

They had also finished runners-up to Uganda in the Africa Cup the previous year.

But this year the Cheetahs went one gear up and turned on the power in the tournament staged in Tunisia to bring the silverware home.

Their success at the Africa Cup also ensured a return to the Dubai and Cape Town editions of the international sevens game.

It is against this background that the Cheetahs’ success will be celebrated at a dinner that will also be sued to mobilise resources for a team that has somewhat mustered the art of defying the odds to achieve successes.

The organisers who are charging $100 per person have branded the dinner – A Toast with the Champions – believe this is one of the interactive platforms through which rugby enthusiast, the corporate world and the players can get to “mix and mingle’’.

Cheetahs team manger Donald “Brasco’’ Mangenje said last night that his side were looking forward to fine night of celebrating the country’s success story in the sevens version of the game.

“The event firstly aims to celebrate the exploits of the players in Tunisia. Against all odds they brought the trophy home so it is only right they are celebrated.

“I am sure it will be motivating for the whole team to be celebrated. From the travelling manager Simba Danga, Physio Amanda Tererai and coach Gilbert who made sure morale was high,’’ Mangenje said.

Mangenje said some of the Cheetahs former players are expected to be part of the diners at the event where Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry is expected to be the guest of honour.

“Past players will also grace this event. Jacques Leitao, Daniel Hondo, Liam Middleton, Tangai Nemadire and a few rugby luminaries are also expected to attend,’’ Mangenje said.

Meanwhile Old Georgians won the first leg of the Exide Sevens Series at Belgravia Sports Club at the weekend.

OGS, one of the dominant forces in all versions of the game in the country were too strong for Mbare Academy who they beat 36-17 in the final.

The Exide tournament had a developmental aspect to it and in that section.

In the developmental section, Mufakose overcame Seke 28-7 in what was yet another exciting final.

The event organisers and sponsors were pleased with an initiative which seeks to develop rugby’s shorter format, which many view to be the future of Zimbabwean rugby.

The Exide Sevens Rugby Series tournament is sponsored by Chloride Zimbabwe and will be run for the next four weeks.

But there is no doubting that the focus this week will be on the Cheetahs and their grand dinner where some of the jerseys worn by their famous players are set to be auctioned.