The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda in Johannesburg, South Africa
ZIMBABWE claimed the bronze at this year’s Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens which concluded yesterday at Bosman Stadium in Johannesburg, with the Cheetahs failing to secure direct qualification to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Cheetahs beat Madagascar 24-7 in the tournament’s third place playoff, with the result good enough to send them to next year’s qualifiers. Runners up Uganda are also going to the repêchage to be staged in June next year. Zimbabwe and Uganda also booked a spot in the World Series qualifiers tournament to be staged in South America at the beginning of next year.
Kenya won the tournament with a 29-0 triumph over Uganda in an all East African clash to decide who goes to the Olympics. It was a disappointing end to the Rugby Men’s Sevens for the Gilbert Nyamutsamba-coached Cheetahs who suffered just one defeat over the two days, a 21-12 loss to Uganda in the semi-finals, which made the whole difference.
Kenya celebrating after securing qualification for the 2020 Olympics
Nyamutsamba feels that the Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens was a difficult tournament for his team, with the end result not what they desired. He was however, impressed with the steps forward they took over the two days.
“Most definitely a tough tournament, not the best of results that we would have wanted but having said that I am actually happy with the way the team has progressed from a slow start and to the last game that we played,” Nyamutsamba said.
With the Cheetahs standing a chance of qualifying for the Olympics, Nyamutsamba is crying for continuity, which can be achieved if his players are afforded more game time as they gear up for the repêchage.
“By winning the bronze, we have qualified for four more international tournaments, one which is still an Olympic qualifier so we still get another chance. For me what is key is continuity, we need to continue and give the team a bit more game time as we build up to that repêchage in June. The extra tournaments that we get before that are going to make a big difference,’’ he said.
Cheetahs captain Stephan Hunduza described the defeat to Uganda as something hard for the team to accept but what was key is that they quickly got over that and went on to put up a good display against Madagascar.
“Losing in the semis was a hard pill for us to swallow but as guys we talked about it and we managed to come and play the third play playoff. We get another chance again and I am sure guys are ready again to go for it. It’s time we go back to the drawing board and make sure we get it right this time around,’’ Hunduza said.
In the third place playoff, wing Tafadzwa Chitokwindo scored the first try, Hilton Mudariki with the conversion. Prop Tapiwa Tsomondo powered his way over the line for Zimbabwe’s second. Chitokwindo sprinted on the left wing for his second try of the match for Zimbabwe to lead 17-0 going into half-time.
Zimbabwe Cheetahs captain Stephan Hunduza with his bronze medal
Two minutes after the break, Chitokwindo turned provider when he offloaded to Hunduza to score the fourth try for the Cheetahs.
Against Uganda, Zimbabwe were the first to score when Mudariki went over for an unconverted try. Zimbabwe however, conceded two tries, which saw the East Africans lead 14-5 at half-time. Uganda scored yet again at the start of the second half to lead 21-5. Speedster Chitokwindo did show some glimpses of brilliance when he burst through to score a try but it was already too late as the Ugandans held on for victory.
Zimbabwe had come out of the group stages with a 100 percent record after wins over Nigeria (47-0), Zambia (19-7) and Madagascar (15-12).
@Mdawini_29
