Zimbabwe is in Pool E together with Spain, Canada and Philippines in the tournament that will see two finalists and the winner of the third and fourth place play-off joining the 12 existing core teams at each round of the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series.
Cheetahs’ manager Bruce Hobson said the opening match against Spain will be key to the team’s success as it will either build or destroy the team’s confidence.
“We are obviously targeting at winning all our games, but the opening game against Spain is very important. We have to win that game if we harbour any plans to come back home with a positive result,” Hobson said.
However, Spain are not going to be a push over and although this will be their first time to compete on the World Series, they have been on a rise on the European rankings.
They finished on third position in 2011 at the Fira sevens Grand Prix behind winners Portugal and England ahead of giants such as France, Russia and Wales.
The Cheetahs’ other opponents, Canada, are the favourites to win the pool and have been bowl finalist in South Africa and lifted the same trophy in the United States leg of the series.
The Canadians also have in their ranks Rugby World Cup stars such as captain Nathan Hirayama, Sean Duke and Ciaran Hearn.
Nothing much is known of debutants Philippines save for the fact that they recently lost 22-17 to UAE in the Shield final of the Bangkok Sevens.
Squad
F Chipendu, J Leitao, N Ndlovu, J Coles, M Sita, M Morris, G Cobert, T Nemadire, D Hondo, G Nechironga, G Sibanda, W Mbanje
Coach: G Nyamutsamba
Team manager: B Hobson