THE Zimbabwe Lady Cheetahs begin a crucial quest for a coveted place on the international circuit as they kick off their campaign at the 2025 Africa Women’s Sevens in Nairobi, Kenya, this morning.
This year’s tournament is not just about continental glory; it is a gateway to the newly remodelled HSBC SVNS Series, offering a life-changing opportunity for the highest-placed team (excluding Kenya) to qualify for the SVNS Division Three season.
For the Lady Cheetahs, who finished ninth in the previous edition, the objective is simple: be the best of the rest in Nairobi.
Securing this single available spot would mark a significant leap forward, providing Zimbabwe with a clear pathway to compete against the world’s elite on a regular basis.
Zimbabwe finds itself in a challenging Pool A, where they must contend with the continental powerhouse South Africa, and Mauritius.
Their journey begins this morning when they face Mauritius at 10:06am (EAT).
The ultimate test of the pool stage will follow in the afternoon as they take on the mighty South Africa at 3:44pm.
Despite the stiff competition, there is a renewed sense of optimism and focus within the camp.
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Zimbabwe head coach Cyprian Mandenge acknowledged the tough road ahead but expressed confidence in his squad’s potential.
“I’m hopeful,” Mandenge said. “We’ve got a new team with a mix of experience and youth.
“We’re looking forward to a great tournament and will take it one game at a time.”
The team need to finish as one of the top two teams in Pool A to qualify for the quarterfinals which will take place tomorrow morning.
The newly-introduced three-tier SVNS structure—comprising Division One (premier), Division Two (where Kenya competes) and Division Three—offers greater stability and more events for participating unions.
The top-performing team in Nairobi will enter the eight-team Division Three competition, which will be staged as a standalone Challenger event.
For the Lady Cheetahs, every tackle, pass, and try this weekend is a step towards realising their ambition of competing on the global stage.
The high stakes ensure maximum motivation for the young squad as they strive to upset the odds and secure that golden ticket to the SVNS Series.
Tournament details
Participating teams:
Pool A: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mauritius
Pool B: Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire
Pool C: Uganda, Zambia, Burkina Faso
Pool D: Madagascar, Tunisia, Egypt
Match Day 1: Today (Local Time) (EAT)
09:00 — Tunisia vs Egypt
09:22 — Zambia vs Burkina Faso
09:44 — Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire
10:06 — Zimbabwe vs Mauritius
12:00 — Madagascar vs Egypt
12:22 — Uganda vs Burkina Faso
12:44 — Kenya vs Côte d’Ivoire
13:06 — South Africa vs Mauritius
15:00 — Madagascar vs Tunisia
15:22 — Uganda vs Zambia
15:44 — South Africa vs Zimbabwe
16:06 Kenya vs Ghana
