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The Zimbabwe Rugby Union have announced the senior women’s team to represent the country at the Olympic qualifiers in Lusaka Zambia from Saturday.
The Lady Cheetahs side coached by Cyprian “Super” Mandenge will be aiming for a top three finish in the 10-team tournament to boost their chances for next year’s Olympics.
Zimbabwe will qualify for the Africa Women’s Sevens Paris Olympics Games 2024 final qualifiers in Tunisia if they finish in the top three.
Mandenge leaps straight into the deep end as this is his first assignment after taking over as the Lady Cheetahs’ head coach from Derek Chiwara, who is now the director of rugby at Falcon College.
The former Sables coach is making a return to the national teams’ set up after some time on the sidelines. He has, however, maintained a close connection with local rugby, having been credited with Old Hararians’ resurgence as a force in domestic rugby and is also the sports director at Eaglesvale, who have over the last few years become a huge force in local schools’ sports.
Zimbabwe, who finished eighth at last year’s Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens in Tunisia, will be banking on Mandenge’s experience as they seek a ticket to the continental competition which will be returning to the North African country for the second year running.
The multi-talented coach, who has mentored some of the country’s most decorated athletes in rugby, cricket, athletics, boxing, martial arts, and personal fitness training, has not coached at national team level since the end of his two-year tenure as the senior men Sables’ head coach between 2015 and 2017.
Team
Delight Mukomondo, Chiwoniso Mabika, Erica Marc, Pauline Sianga, Rufaro Tagarira, Kudzanai Wasili, Rumbidzai Chigumbu, Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo, Tarren Munodaani, Nyasha Gonamombe, Robyn Mhembere, Tadiwanashe Chendambuya. Herald
