By Tapiwa Chawagarira
KAMPALA — Zimbabwe maintained their unbeaten start to the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series with a hard-fought 26-14 victory over Nigeria at the Kyadondo Rugby Grounds in Kampala, Uganda on Sunday.
The result completed a perfect pool-stage campaign for the Zimbabweans, who had earlier defeated Morocco 19-12 and Ghana 40-17 on the opening day, finishing with three wins from three matches.
Zimbabwe’s latest victory came in a competitive encounter against a Nigerian side that had also entered the tournament with ambitions of reaching the knockout stages. Nigeria opened their campaign with a 28-5 victory over Ghana but then suffered a 36-5 defeat to Morocco.
Zimbabwe’s performance has placed them firmly in contention for the tournament title and the qualification prize at stake in Kampala. The eight-team competition also serves as the African qualifier for the 2027 World Rugby SVNS 3, with the tournament winner securing Africa’s place on the global SVNS 3 circuit.
The Zimbabwean Sevens side, known as the Cheetahs, was drawn in Pool A alongside Nigeria, Ghana, and Morocco, while hosts Uganda, Zambia, Tunisia, and Senegal make up Pool B. The Cheetahs are under new head coach Fortunate Chipendu, who took over from Ricky Chirengende ahead of the Kampala tournament.
Captain Tapiwa Malenga had challenged the new-look squad to approach every match with discipline, physicality, and pride, despite the absence of several established players who are now concentrating on the Sables’ 15-a-side programme ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The unbeaten run is particularly significant given the changes to Zimbabwe’s Sevens set-up, with several players who have featured for the Cheetahs in recent years now fully focusing on the Sables.
Rugby Africa confirmed that the Kampala tournament forms the opening component of the revised 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series, following the postponement of the originally scheduled Mauritius event. The second component, the Mauritius Sevens Tournament, is scheduled for October 3–4 and will feature a different group of teams.
Zimbabwe now advance to the knockout phase in Kampala with their unbeaten record intact, as they continue their bid for continental honours and a place in the 2027 World Rugby SVNS 3.
Note: For accuracy, Zimbabwe’s Sevens team is referred to as the Cheetahs, while the Sables are Zimbabwe’s 15-a-side national team.
