GERMANY-BASED rugby winger, Manasah Sita is determined to make the most out of the opportunity after he was recalled to the Cheetahs squad ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers to be played in South Africa between November 14 and 15.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
Sita was included in the 16-man national sevens squad, announced by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union yesterday, to end a three-year absence from the Cheetahs fold.
The experienced former Old Hararians and Old Georgians player told NewsDay Sport, from his base in Germany, he was looking forward to helping the national side qualify for the Olympics.
“Well, it’s always a great feeling representing your country,” Sita said.
“Just the atmosphere of being with the boys is something that I had missed and I’m glad to be back.
“It’s even sweeter now because there is so much to play for. I’m not getting any younger so I’m going try my best to help out the team qualify for the Olympics and it will be just great to be part of the team in such a tournament.”
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Sita, who turned 29, last month had a dream season for Rugby-Bundesliga side TV Pforzheim.
Joined by compatriot Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, the pair steered TV Pforzheim to a place in the final, where they came second best to Heidelberger.
Besides Sita, the other high profile returnee to the Cheetahs squad for the Rio Olympics qualifiers is Cape Town-based loose forward Tapiwa Tsomondo, backs Shayne Makombe, Riaan O’Neill and Lenience Tambwera.
The duo of Njabulo Ndlovu and Biselele Tshamala, who are based in Durban and Western Cape, respectively, are also expected to reclaim their places in the forwards after missing the Safari Sevens.
The most notable absentee in the squad is newly-appointed Cheetahs skipper, Hilton Mudariki, who has been ruled out due to injury, which leaves his predecessor, Jacques Leitao to act in his absence.
Young Takudzwa Francisco was also a surprise inclusion as he retains his place in the squad after featuring at the Safland Windhoek Sevens in Namibia and the Safari Sevens in Kenya in September.
Zimbabwe will battle it out with Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Zambia, Botswana, Madagascar, Mauritius and Morocco for a place at the Olympics.
The top side at the qualifying tournament will join the top four teams from the 2014-2015 HSBC Sevens World Series, as well as Brazil, who qualify automatically as hosts.
The runners up will head to a repechage tournament, due to take place before June 2016.
Cheetahs Squad Jacques Leitao, Kuda Chiwanza, Njabulo Ndlovu, Kilvan Magunje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Stephan Hunduza, Graham Kaulback, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Manasah Sita, Mkhululi Ndhlela, Takudzwa Francisco, Boyd Rouse, Lenience Tambwera, Shayne Makombe, Biselele Tshamala, Riaan O’Neill
