ZIMBABWE’s main opponents in the upcoming Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) Sevens tournament have upped their preparations for the tournament which is slated for Harare at the end of this month.
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The tournament will be held at Prince Edward School on November 29-30 and a training camp will be held at the Innovate High Performance Centre starting November 24.
The Zimbabwe national Sevens rugby side, the Cheetahs, are in a tough group as they were drawn up to play against defending champions Kenya, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Namibia and Uganda at the 12 team tournament which also features powerhouses South Africa.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union has named what appears a competitive side for the tournament, including in the team four uncapped players in their 18-man training squad.
Golden Lions loose forward Lambert Groenewald, who made his debut for the Zimbabwe Fifteens side in the World Cup qualifiers mid-year, has been called up alongside three other new players – Morgan Vangue, Taku Kamudire and Mkhululi Ndlela.
Vangue currently plays his rugby in Germany alongside compatriot Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, who is also in the squad.
The event is going to be used as a qualifier for the Hong Kong Sevens in March next year which itself serves as qualifier for the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series core membership status for next season.
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With South Africa and Kenya already IRB World Sevens Series full members, Zimbabwe just have to book a place in the last four of the Africa Cup to qualify for Hong Kong.
But that has not stopped teams like Kenya to take this month’s event seriously, as they have started camp ahead of the tournament.
The Kenya Shujaa claimed the Africa Cup last year when they defeated Zimbabwe 24-19 in the final at the Mombasa Sports Club grounds.
For this year’s tournament, they have included two youngsters, Philip Owuor (Nakuru) and Churchill Ooko (Strathmore Leos), in a very strong squad that will look to defend the title.
Coach Gibson Weru said the two forwards are in the tentative squad of 17 who will now have to prove themselves before making the final side of 12 for the tournament. The rest of the players have either featured for Shujaa or Kenya Sevens in various international assignments.
Martin Owillah (Nakuru), Jacob Ojee (KCB), Alex Olaba (Strathmore) and Davis Chenge (Western Bulls) featured for Kenya Sevens in the opening leg of the 2014/2015 IRB World Sevens Series in Gold Coast in October.
It was the players’ maiden appearances in the IRB Series, save for Chenge.
According to reports from Kenya, the 35 men squad started their training camp yesterday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has roped in South Africa Rugby 7s legend Fabian Juries to coach the team at the tournament. Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Tunji Fasimoye said: “We are bringing Juries in from South Africa to impact his experience and skills into the lads, we need someone with a high technical, tactical and deep knowledge of rugby 7s,” he noted.
Zimbabwe Training Squad: Jacques Leitao, Fortune Chipendu, Gardner Nechironga, Stephan Hunduza, Hilton Mudariki, Taku Kamudire, Teddy Hwata, Lenience Tambwera, Njabulo Ndlovu, Boyd Rouse, Mkululi Ndhlela, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Morgan Vangue, Graham Kaulback, Kuda Chiwanza, Lambert Groenewald, Riaan O’Neill, Shayne Makombe
Kenya Provisional squad: Martin Owillah, Philip Owuor, Charles Odhiambo (Nakuru), Jacob Ojee, Brian Omondi, Peter Kilonzo, Billy Isabwa (KCB), Alex Olaba, Churchill Ooko, Tony Onyango, Sammy Motari(Strathmore Leos), Brian Wandera (Quins), Oscar Dennis (Nondies), Sam Onsomu (Impala Saracens), Shaban Ahmed (Mwamba), Davis Chenge (Western Bulls) and Humphrey Mulama (Homeboyz).
