The Sunday Mail
CHEETAHS coach Gilbert “Gidza” Nyamutsamba occupies one of the hottest seats in local sport, and he is fully aware of the challenges and high expectations that come with the job.
Earlier this month, the 46-year-old celebrated the first anniversary of his second stint as head coach of the Zimbabwe rugby Sevens side in style.
A second-place finish at the Africa Cup in Uganda secured the Cheetahs one of two tickets to next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens Tournament in San Francisco in the United States.
“It was a tough tournament, the conditions were not kind to us as it was hot and humid but fortunately we managed to put good performances when it mattered and qualified,” said Nyamutsamba, as he relieved an Africa Cup show that coincided with the first anniversary of his appointment on October 6, 2016. “The senior players held their own and showed that you can never replace experience while the younger and new players really put their hands up when it mattered. Shingirayi Hlanguyo and Ngoni Chibuwe were stand outs.”
Three weeks on and with the honeymoon over, Nyamutsamba is back at work with his top priority being working his boys back into shape.
“Going forward, it is key that we continue with more training camps and play in as many tournaments as we possibly can. Strength and conditioning will be key as evidenced by the high level of competition we witnessed in Uganda.
“It is also one of the key areas I would really want to see us improve on in rugby and other sports in the country,” he said.
Nyamutsamba also has some pointers for the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
“These young men sacrifice so such and I feel that if we want to get more out of the players we need to have training and match incentives.
“This will not only show appreciation for the work being done, but in a way it will also raises the competitiveness of all rugby players,” he said.
The Cheetahs gaffer is expected call his charges back into camp this week to begin preparations for next month’s Sasland’s Sevens tournament in Namibia.
