Raising the Nation’s Flag high – Zimbabwe Women’s Rugby
The Zambezi Rugby 7s Challenge Cup 5th edition is an annual rugby 7s Challenge that is hosted by Zimbabwe’s finest beer, the Zambezi lager which hosted 3 Nations, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya. The Tournament lasted 2 days, the 8th and 9th of November and played at Harare Sports Club, the biggest and most decorated Rugby Field known as The home of Rugby.
In this year’s 5th Edition, focusing on Women’s rugby as a movement that has been going on for some years, saw a couple of teams rise up for the challenge. Two teams from Zambia, Team Roans and Impalas from our Neighbors Zambia and 2 Teams from our borders Lions and the Warthogs.
The Fixture Started off with Lions taking on Impalas and it was a match that ended in the Impalas taking the Victory. Focusing more on the Lions team, there has been a good initiative that was brought about by the team which included some featured players from the This year’s U18 Junior sables team who made the cut and competed in South Africa at the Girls Week Tournament. The likes of Ashley Wasili #9, Ntombinkosi Sibanda #13 and Allanah Maramba #7.
The addition of these members indicated and proved that young blood can and should have a shot at playing in the big leagues. With grooming from the Rugby Grassroots including Tag Rugby Trust to initiate and groom these young ladies, we are setting the right foundation for the future generation to be involved in sport. They played a good game, first time playing 7s on what we can say an international level. The young ladies have proved that they can take the hit and also deliver, given the chance.
In the Seniors team, the Warthogs went up against the Roans and won the match taking the Victory. They played a fair game with much improvement and delivered quite a good play. Also to note the inclusion of some of last year’s U18 Junior Sables Traveling Squad, Nokutenda Shoriwa #12, Natalia Nyabande#7 & 15 and Rutendo Morosi #4, who are now in the Senior Squad, also made an impact. Overal The Girls played well, however the next match they played went south, when they came up against the Impalas who took the match away, beating the Warthogs in the second leg.
Day 2, the matches played went well, the semi-finals played was against The Roans and the Lions and the match ended in Victory of the Lions. The Final Match was between The Impalas of Zambia and Warthogs of Zimbabwe. Despite the rainy weather, the teams played all out, breaking sweat, hearts out, the result ended with the Impalas taking the Victory with two tries ahead of the Warthogs. There were tears as the ladies hoped for the best. The Player of the match was Nishemwe, a winger from Zambia, who scored most tries.
On that Note, We also Want to appreciate and give our support to the Lady Cheetahs that traveled to the Rugby 7s Africa Cup this week in Kenya and have their first match Tomorrow. They are going to battle it out in the tournament with aim to come out tops. We support you. We are with you all the way!
In the Men’s Division, The Final ended with The Zambezi Cheetahs playing against The Morans of Kenya. Unfortunately for Zambezi Cheetahs, the match ended in a loss with a 14-00 score line. Overall the tournament went on well, the weather was great and by his Grace, no serious Injury came upon the players.
Let Us continue to support our ladies in sport, encouraging young ladies to get involved with activities that build and strengthen teamwork and discipline. We say well done to the ladies and the Gentlemen that played their hearts out in this tournament. Special mention to the hosts Zambezi Lager for the Tournament and Harare Sports Club for the Top Notch Field. We keep saying Thank you.
