• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Both lack of funding and logistical issues have effected both Ugandan and Zimbabwe sides ahead of this weekend’s Namibia Sevens. Both sides have been grouped against each other in Pool C, to be joined by World Cup Sevens finalists Argentina.

Lutakome staying positive

Despite only being able to take 10 men Uganda’s coach Ronnie Lutakome is confident his young side can defy the odds at the Namibia TrustCo International 7s tournament this weekend at the Hage Geingob national stadium.

“It’s okay because we want to work within the means set by Namibia in restricting us to 10 players due to funding,” said Lutakome.

“Argentina are not very fast but operate in small spaces quite well while Zimbabwe could be like us because they have a new side,” added Lutakome prior to taking the team through drills at Kampala RFC yesterday.

MTN Heathens Michael Wokorach’s spell as Rugby Cranes skipper will continue after leading the team at the Tangier Sevens and Kenya’s Safari Sevens. But UTL Kobs fly-half Allan Matsiko is out of the trip due to a fractured thumb.

“I have been playing with a painful thumb since the Elgon Cup game (with Kenya) and have been advised to rest for six weeks,” said Matsiko.

Zimbabwe’s Cheetahs flying solo

Zimbabwe’s preparations have also been hindered with their Sevens developmental side, the Goshawks, dropping out of the tournament due to logistical changes.

The Goshawks were initially set to travel with the Cheetahs but the arrangement has since been changed.

At first the two sides were set to travel together by road but Namibia Rugby Union indicated they were going to sponsor the air tickets, but only for the main team.

This forced the Zimbabwe Rugby Union to drop the Goshawks.

"Namibia have confirmed they are giving us air tickets to travel for the event so we have since removed the Goshawks from taking part at the tournament and we will only be sending the Cheetahs," said Cheetahs manager Bruce Hobson.

The Cheetahs are training at Old Georgians and the Bulawayo-based players, including Wesley Mbanje and Gardner Nechironga, were expected in the capital last night.

But some of the players — especially those based in South Africa - have indicated they will not be taking part as they want to concentrate at their club’s games.

"Cleopas Makotose and Tangai Nemadire have indicated to me that they would like to improve their game at club level," added Hobson.

Harare Sports Club cente Danny Hondo, District Dragons flanker Jacques Leitao, and lock Fortune Chipendo are expected to make it into the side that will be coached by Gilbert Nyamutsamba.