South Africa’s Men’s and Women’s Hockey Teams Qualify for World Cup in Europe
It was double delight for South African hockey as both the men and the women won the African Cup of Nations titles to confirm their qualification for the 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup and 2023 FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup. The women came from behind to beat hosts Ghana 3-1 while the men […]
It was double delight for South African hockey as both the men and the women won the African Cup of Nations titles to confirm their qualification for the 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup and 2023 FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup.
The women came from behind to beat hosts Ghana 3-1 while the men beat Egypt 3-1 in the penalty shootout after the scores had been locked at 1-1 after full-time.
South Africa’s men’s coach Gareth Ewing said:
“I’m shattered. That was too close for comfort. Ghana is such a great host, there was such a great atmosphere in the stadium, it was great to win. Based on tonight’s performance, we have a lot to do before the World Cup.”
South Africa’s men’s captain Tim Drummond said:
”We are ecstatic. That was tough but we are missing some players so that shows that we have depth in the squad. There is a long way to go before the World Cup but we hope to make a lot of improvement and finish in the top ten.”
South Africa’s women’s Coach Inky Zondy said:
“I am really excited and really happy with the game. It was a tough game, so thank you to Ghana. We have really enjoyed our week here. We are a team that has changed, so we have to learn from what has happened this week and represent Africa well at the World Cup.”
On Twitter, Inky called it his “African Dream”:
My African dream. Truly remarkable experience with @sawomenshockey @SA_Hockey . I will never forget. #ACN2022 @AfrHockey pic.twitter.com/dmyOIBd75F
— Inky Zondi (@inksterzondi) January 25, 2022
Tarryn Glasby of South Africa was the competition’s overall top scorer with nine goals. “It is nice to get a win in Ghana. As a striker you are supposed to score goals, so I am happy to be the top scorer. Looking forward to the World Cup, it is all about trusting our processes.”
The 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup will be held in Spain and the Netherlands in July. The FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup was cancelled this month because of Covid-19. The 2023 World Cup will be held in Belgium in February 2023.
CONGRATULATIONS to our four individual prize winners at the @AfrHockey #ACN2022
Tarryn Lombard & Matt Guise-Brown – Top Goalscorers
Bili Ntuli – Player of the Tournament
Phumelela Mbande – Goalkeeper of the Tournament#HockeyInvites pic.twitter.com/dvuAa9vPrs— SA Hockey (@SA_Hockey) January 23, 2022
How’s your morning going??? pic.twitter.com/FfwAKpRkir
— SA Hockey (@SA_Hockey) January 24, 2022
Source: TeamSA