BY SPORTS REPORTER
ZIMBABWE’S national Sevens rugby side went through day one unbeaten after posting convincing victories to move into the semi-finals of the Kwese Invitational Sevens tournament at the Machinery Exchange Stadium at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
Despite missing a number of senior players in their only fine-tuning tournament before next month’s Hong Kong Sevens, the Cheetahs, who fielded three debutants, gave home fans some entertaining rugby.
The Cheetahs, who ended up playing only two matches after Lesotho’s withdrawal, followed up their opening victory over Botswana (30-0) to end the day with another convincing 36-12 win over neighbours Zambia to claim the top honours in Pool B much to coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba’s (pictured) delight.
“I am very happy with how the boys came together in both matches, together with the way Goshawks won two out of three matches is good,” he said.
“This was an important day for us to have a look at the areas we need to work on and the final day will be another chance in front of our home crowd to play some good rugby,” said Nyamutsamba.
Visiting European side Georgia were also equally impressive conceding just one try on their way to comfortable wins over Mbare Academy (34-0), Zimbabwe’s second-string side Goshawks (26-5) and Malawi (55-0).
The Zimbabwe women’s sevens side, affectionately known as the Lady Cheetahs, had a clean sweep in the pool stages of the ladies’ tournament after beating Zambia (19-0), Zimbabwe A (19-7) and Zim Southern Sevens (24-5), which means they will head into today’s semi-finals as favourites.
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Lady Cheetahs coach Abigail Kawonza said she would push her charges to up the ante as they aim for the cup.
“It was a good day for the girls who put in a lot of hard work today, but I will drive them to give us more because I know what they are capable of.
“There will be tougher games this year and we have to always condition ourselves to prepare for that, I am happy that the crowd was screaming for them and seeing what we are capable of,” said Kawonza.
