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Zimbabwe continue their preparation for the Safari Sevens (19th-20th) later this month by taking three senior sides to the annual Castle Mosi Sevens tournament scheduled for Zambia next week.

In what’s been a long season, with participation at Dubai Sevens, George Sevens, Rugby World Cup Sevens and Hong Kong, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union plans to send Cheetahs, a Goshawks and the women’s team for the three-day tournament which will run from Friday to Sunday.

Last year Zimbabwe sent five teams to the event, Harare Sports Club also fielded a team with the other being the third string national team.

Zimbabwe retained the Castle Sevens – formerly Mosi Sevens – by beating hosts Zambia 36-5 at the Lusaka Agricultural Show ground.

Despite using the Zambian event as a warm up for the Tuskers, Cheetahs manager Bruce Hobson said the Zimbabweans are committed to defending their Mosi title.

Sables winger Tangai Nemadire, fullback Cleopas Makotose, and Gerald Sibanda will not be available for the tournament with centre Willis Magasa expected to undergo a shoulder operation before he can return to action. However, Taffy Mhende is tipped to come in as a replacement for Magasa.

The Cheetahs have also been boosted by the return to the country of Alex Ndangana on Monday from his base in Germany and captain Jacques Leitao who has recovered from a shoulder injury.

The England-based duo of Ryan Manyika and Gordon Pangeti will also not be available due to school commitments while coach Liam Middleton, who is also based in England, will not be travelling with the side.

Cheetahs assistant coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba will take charge of the side when they go into camp in Harare on Tuesday, two days before their scheduled departure.

Daniel Hondo and Fortune Chipendo, who are now based in Harare, are also available for selection while Prince Edward schoolboy Njabulo Ncube could also be part of the travelling party.

"It’s a good opportunity that we always get each year so that we prepare for the Tuskers that is always a week after the Mosi. But we will not be taking the Mosi lightly because we need to defend the title.

"We are going to have a number of players that we are trying out at the moment especially those coming from the group of around 14 to 20 that is training in Harare at the moment.

"Peter Benade, who was part of the Marauders last year, is also back in the squad and we are also having a look at Nyasha Takavarasha," said the former ZRU president.

Ghana ready for inaugural North West African Women's Sevens

The El Wak Stadium in Accra, Ghana is set to welcome eight nations this weekend for the historic first ever North West Africa Women's Rugby Sevens.

Hosts Ghana will play alongside Togo, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Egypt over two days.

The teams are split into two pools, Ghana, Tunisia, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Pool A and Nigeria, Togo, Egypt and Morocco in Pool B.

"All the teams are expected in the country by the close of play Thursday and preparations have been made to adequately host them," said Gifty Annan-Myers, Head of the Ghana Rugby Association (GRA). It is hoped that the tournament can pave the way for the further development of the sport in the country.

"We want to popularise rugby in Ghana, so it is very important that this is a successful tournament," added Annan-Myers.

"We have received the necessary support from the International Rugby Board and the National Sports Council, so a huge amount of work has been done to ensure the successful organisation of the event."

North West Africa Women's Rugby Sevens, Accra, Ghana, 6-7 June.

Pool A
Ghana
Tunisia
Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso

Pool B
Nigeria
Togo
Egypt
Morocco