THE Zambia Sevens teams' trip to Morocco for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) qualifiers was delayed by 48 hours due to a visa hitch and only managed to leave yesterday after the change of their flight route.

The men and women's teams were scheduled to leave for Rabat on the Royal Dutch Airlines, KLM on Tuesday but visa hiccups curtailed their trip.

Zambia Rugby Football Union (ZRFU) president, Martin Musunka said the teams only left yesterday aboard the mid-morning Kenya Airlines flight and were expected in Morocco this morning, 24 hours before the RWC qualifiers start.

Musunka said in an interview yesterday that despite the delay, the Zambian contingent would be ready for the weekend's assignments.

Richard Kapoma's men team has six forwards Daniel Sakala, Israel Kalumba, Fernard Kashimoto, Teddius Chipoya, Edward Mumba and Tom Chaloba, while the backline consists of Owen Mwila, Fine Chinkumbe, Ackim Mushota, Ernest Mwansa, Hopeman Kanamina and Terry Kaushiku.

The women's team coached by Innocent Sakala has Carol Mpululuka, Barbara Mumbi, Cecilia Chitengi, Mary Mbewe, Melody Habukali, Eukeria Chimanga, Sylvia Mubita, Lilian Makwati, Gillian Mwape, Lome Phiri, Kasawala Sitembilia and Linda Chitende.

The men's team that won a Shield at the 2012 Safaricom Sevens in Kenya last weekend, will open their RWC campaign in Pool A tomorrow against

Indian Ocean islanders, Madagascar before facing hosts, Morocco. Kapoma's men will wrap up their group phase assignments with a tie against Nigeria.

The women's squad will kick-off their tour of duty with a Pool C match against Tunisia and later take on hosts Morocco before ending with another tough game against Kenya.