Sevens provisional team announced

Sport
ZIMBABWE has started preparations for the Confederation of African Rugby Sevens Africa Cup with 18 players being called up for the tournament set for November 29 and 30 at Prince Edward High School in Harare.

ZIMBABWE has started preparations for the Confederation of African Rugby Sevens Africa Cup with 18 players being called up for the tournament set for November 29 and 30 at Prince Edward High School in Harare. THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Sevens coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba called on the experience of regulars in the Cheetahs squad who include captain Jacques Leitao, Fortune Chipendu, Gardner Nechironga who is based in South Africa and Taddy Hwata.

Sevens coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba
Sevens coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba

The training camp, which will be held at Innovate High Performance Centre on November 24 in Harare will include South Africa-based Shayne Makombe, Lenience Tambwera and Njabulo Ndlovu.

Stephen Hunduza, who has been a revelation in the Cheetahs squad scoring crucial tries, has also been drafted in the 18-man squad with Hilton Mudariki and Boyd Rouse are also expected to provide experience in the team.

Other players who are in the team include Mkhululi Ndlela, Morgan Vangue and Taku Kamudire. Vangue plays in Germany alongside Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, who is also in the squad.

At the moment some of the players are training in Bulawayo while some are in Harare and will regroup on Monday for camp.

Zimbabwe Rugby sevens chairperson Donald Mangenje said the final squad should be announced by next Thursday.

“The players will regroup on November 24 as it is they are training in Harare and Bulawayo,” he said.

“The final squad will be announced around November 27.

“We should do well as usual. We have tried to be as strong as we can be (in terms of the team). I do not know the final team, but I am sure that we will be strong.”

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Shujaa, who are the defending champions, have announced a provisional squad for the tournament with coach Gibson Weru to name the final squad by the end of the week.

Kenya Shujaa won the Africa Cup last year when they beat Zimbabwe 24-19 in the final at the Mombasa Sports Club grounds.