23 April 2025 Both Nambia’s men and women’s u21 hockey teams are currently second on the log at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek and well-placed to qualify for the Junior World Cup later this year. The top three men and women’s teams will qualify for the 2025 Junior World Cup, with the men to play in Chennai and Madurai, India in November, while the women will compete in Santiago, Chile in December. In the men’s category, South Africa are the hot favourites to win the Africa title after winning their opening four matches in style, scoring 32 goals and conceding only four. They beat Zambia 12-3, Namibia 8-0, Zimbabwe 7-1 and Egypt 5-0 to lead the log on 12 points, but Namibia went second after winning two of their opening three matches.  In their opening match on Friday, they got off to a great start with a come-from-behind 3-1 win against Egypt. In a hard-fought encounter, the score was still goalless at halftime, but Egypt edged ahead through a field goal by Basel Abdelmonem midway through the third quarter. Namibia, however, made a stunning comeback in the final quarter with Owen Hatton equalising while two short corner goals by JP Britz sealed a memorable victory for Namibia. The next day they went down 8-0 to SA, with Jayden Brooker the star of the show with six goals, but on Monday, Namibia bounced back with a 5-3 victory against Kenya. In an entertaining encounter, Namibia went 3-2 ahead by halftime and 4-3 by the end of the third quarter, before easing to a 5-3 victory.  Captain JP Britz scored two short corner goals, while James de Jager, Jack Fourie and Abraham Graham each scored a field goal, with Matthew Momanyi, Vincent Wesonga and Nirmaan Mudher replying for Kenya. After the match captain Britz said they are in high spirits and fancied their chances of reaching the final. “At the moment, we’re quite positive. We did the hard yards against Egypt on day one when we beat them 3-1, and today was a huge result for us winning 5-3 against Kenya. So at the moment, we’re on six points, looking good and feeling very positive,” he said. Britz said their opening day victory against Egypt was a special day for Namibian hockey. “It was a very special day for me being the captain of the team and being able to lead the team to victory. It was quite a tight game and we went down 1-0 in the third quarter, but then fortunately we scored all three our goals in the last quarter and just kept our heads up,” he said. “We did everything we needed to do from management side and it was just a very good game overall. I’m very happy with the result and it was a very special day for Namibian hockey,” he added. South Africa also lead the women’s competition on 12 points after winning their opening four matches in style, scoring 33 goals and not conceding any.  Namibia, however, are in hot pursuit, lying second on nine points, after winning their opening three matches. On Friday they beat Kenya 3-0 after two goals by Tisha Semedo and one by Maryke Neethling, while they stunned Zimbabwe with a 6-0 victory the next day, with Onique Bezuidenhout and Mia Karsten scoring two goals each and Marika Neethling and Maryke Kruger one each. On Monday evening they were in irrisistible form as they thumped Zambia 11-1 after leading 6-0 by half time. Neethling led the way with a hat-trick, while Alice Rowles, Mia Karsten and Azaylee Philander each scored two, and Anica Higgs and Marlene Coetzee one goal each. Namibia were due to play Uganda last night while their eagerly awaited top-of-the-log clash against South Africa takes place tomorrow at 15h00. * On Tuesday, both Namibia’s men and women’s teams qualified for the finals, to secure their places at the 2025 Junior World Cup. Namibia’s men beat Zimbabwe 4-1 to book a place in the final against SA, while Namibia’s women, who beat Uganda 4-0, will also meet SA in the final. Source: namibian.com.na

Apr 21, 2025 Junior Africa Cup – Day 3 Recap | Windhoek, Namibia South Africa continued their commanding run at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, with both the Men’s and Women’s teams securing important victories to remain unbeaten and firmly on course for World Cup qualification. Men: South Africa 7–1 Zimbabwe South Africa’s U21 Men delivered another clinical display, beating Zimbabwe 7–1 to register a third consecutive victory and edge closer to a spot at the FIH Junior World Cup in India. From the opening minute, Jayden Brooker – who has been in electric form – opened the scoring. Zimbabwe proved more resilient than previous opponents, but Brooker was undeterred, completing a first-half hat-trick to take his tournament tally to eight goals. In the second half, Brooker added two more, before Thabang Jeyi and Litha Kraai joined the scoresheet. Zimbabwe pulled one back late through Matipa Mawere, but the result was never in doubt. South Africa now sit on 9 points from 3 matches, having scored 27 goals and conceded just 4. A win against Egypt on Tuesday morning will mathematically confirm qualification to the Junior World Cup. Women: South Africa 4–0 Kenya The South African U21 Women were tested for the first time in the tournament but came through with poise and purpose, defeating Kenya 4–0 to maintain their perfect start. Paris-Gail Isaacs, a senior Olympian, gave South Africa the ideal start with a goal in the second minute. Paige Salis added a second just before the end of the first quarter. Kenya battled bravely and kept the South Africans at bay for two quarters, but in the final period, South Africa broke through again. Captain Caylin Maree made it 3–0, and Germarie Speershott sealed the result. South Africa remain unbeaten, unbreached, and unrelenting – 27 goals scored, none conceded – and are in prime position heading into Tuesday’s clash against third-placed Zimbabwe. Tuesday Fixtures – Qualification on the Line: 09:00 – Women: South Africa vs Zimbabwe 11:00 – Men: South Africa vs Egypt Victories for both sides would guarantee South Africa’s ticket to the FIH Junior World Cup — the women to Chile, and the men to India. Source: sahockey.co.za

Apr 19, 2025 Junior Africa Cup – Day 2 Recap | Windhoek, Namibia South Africa U21 Women 19–0 Zambia The South African U21 Women turned on the style with a breathtaking 19–0 win over Zambia in their second group game. It was a relentless, four-quarter masterclass that showcased both depth and discipline across the squad. 3 goals in the 1st quarter 3 more in the 2nd 5 in the 3rd An explosive 8-goal final quarter to close it out Captain Caylin Maree led by example with four goals, while Germarie Speershott notched up a classy hat-trick. There were goals from all across the park, highlighting the team’s attacking variety: Scorers: Caylin Maree (4), Germarie Speershott (3), Teshawn de la Rey (2), Ntsopa Mokoena (2), Amber Fairon (2), Jodie Blows, Jenna Blaauw, Paris-Gail Isaacs, Baylee Engelke, Angele Vogel, Rea Phume South Africa now sit comfortably at the top of the table with 6 points from 6, needing only a top-three finish to secure qualification for the FIH Junior World Cup in Chile this December. Next Match: South Africa vs Kenya – Monday, 15:00 South Africa U21 Men 8–0 Namibia On the men’s side, South Africa continued their goal-scoring rampage and defensive dominance with an 8-0 dismantling of hosts Namibia, who came into the match fresh off a historic first-ever win over Egypt. South Africa, however, proved a different level. Jayden Brooker, the SA IPT Player of the Tournament, was simply unplayable. He hammered home six goals, terrorizing the Namibian defence with precision and power, especially from penalty corners. Brett Horn and Litha Kraai added one apiece as the South Africans became the only unbeaten men’s team with two wins from two. Next Match: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – Monday A win over Zimbabwe (currently second in the pool) would put South Africa in prime position to clinch one of the three coveted Junior World Cup qualification spots. Source: sahockey.co.za

Tue 22.04.25 The final round of preliminary matches will take place on Thursday, 24 April, at the Davin Trustco Hockey Stadium Kenya’s U21 hockey men’s team secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Zambia at the ongoing 2024 Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, Namibia, boosting their hopes of reaching the classification matches, and potentially qualifying for the Junior World Cup. Meanwhile, the women’s team was left frustrated after conceding a last-minute goal to draw 1-1 against Zambia, a result that puts a dent in their qualification ambitions. The Kenyan boys came into the fixture needing a win to stay on track in the tightly contested tournament and responded with a spirited performance. They dominated the early proceedings, creating several goal-scoring opportunities. Isaac Wanjawa missed a clear chance in the seventh minute, while Josephat Ondijo stood strong in goal to deny Zambia’s Enock Kaluba in the 10th minute. Kenya’s attacking threat continued, with Fredrick Ochieng and Charles Ashihundu both testing Zambia’s goalkeeper Robson Kunda in a sequence of set-pieces and rebounds. However, despite dominating the first quarter, the score remained goalless. Zambia stunned Kenya in the 22nd minute against the run of play. A quick build-up caught the Kenyan defence off-guard, and although Ondijo saved Isaac Mutale’s effort, Abraham Tagwirey pounced on the rebound to slot home and give Zambia the lead. Kenya replied with purpose, and moments later, their persistence paid off. After Matthias Gulalaire goal-bound strike was denied following a fine setup from Vincent Wesonga, the umpire awarded a penalty stroke. Ashihundu stepped up and calmly converted to level the match. Ondijo continued to be a pillar in goal, producing a brilliant double save in the 42nd minute from a penalty corner situation. In the 43rd minute, Kenya earned a penalty corner of their own, and Gulalaire made no mistake, scoring a low drag flick to make it 2-1. The boys pressed for a third goal, with Paul Odero coming close in the final moments after a neat aerial pass from Victor Sam, but Kunda denied him to keep the scoreline respectable for Zambia. The win sees Kenya’s men climb to five points from four matches, putting them in contention for a classification slot and keeping their World Cup hopes alive. The Kenyan women’s side were left ruing missed chances after allowing Zambia to snatch a late equalizer, a result that could prove costly in their quest for a top-four finish. Kenya had the better chances in the match and went ahead in the 26th minute through Brenda Mwagandi, who capitalized on Zambia’s defensive lapse to give her side a deserved lead. Despite dominating play and creating multiple scoring opportunities, Kenya failed to add to their tally. That inefficiency in front of goal proved costly in the dying moments of the match when Millicent Abukuse committed a foul on Memory Chaya, resulting in a penalty corner. Christine Kaluba stepped up and converted for Zambia to level the match in dramatic fashion. The draw leaves the Kenyan women with just two points from four matches and needing a win in their final group stage match to have a chance of progressing. The final round of preliminary matches will take place on Thursday, 24 April, at the Davin Trustco Hockey Stadium. Kenya’s Current Standings Men: 4th position, 5 points from 4 matches Women: 4th position, 2 points from 4 matches Final Preliminary Matches April 24, 2025 Men: 20:00 – South Africa vs Kenya Women: 14:00 – Kenya vs Zimbabwe Source: mozzartsport.co.ke

Mon 21.04.25. The Kenyan men, who began the tournament with a draw and have now registered one loss and one draw, will face Zambia next in a crucial fixture. Kenya’s national under-21 hockey teams endured another tough outing at the Junior Africa Cup (JAC) in Windhoek, Namibia, on Monday, both falling to superior opposition in high-intensity fixtures. The women’s side suffered a 4-0 humbling to continental heavyweights South Africa, while the men’s team went down 5-3 in a thrilling contest against hosts Namibia at the Davin Trustco Hockey Stadium. The Kenyan women, still in pursuit of their first win, found themselves on the back foot just two minutes into their match. South Africa’s Paris-Gail Isaacs opened the proceedings with an early goal, setting the tone for the rest of the encounter. Despite a resilient performance from goalkeeper Rebecca Nasambu, who pulled off multiple crucial saves, including a double stop in the 24th minute, the Kenyan defence struggled to contain the South African attack. Paige Salis doubled the lead for South Africa with a tomahawk shot from a penalty corner late in the first quarter. Kenya showed flashes of offensive intent, with Millicent Abukuse and Dorah Jokeyo combining well up front, but their efforts were thwarted either by the umpire’s whistle or a lack of clinical finishing. Captain Caylin Maree and Amber Fairon added further goals in the second half, sealing a commanding 4-0 win for the South Africans in a rain-soaked second half. The defeat leaves Kenya with two losses and a draw in their three matches so far, with must-win fixtures against Zambia and Zimbabwe remaining if they are to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. Men’s U21 In the men’s category, Kenya began brightly against Namibia, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Gideon Mungai’s clever set-up found Noel Lormotum for a well-taken field goal. Namibia responded swiftly through a penalty corner conversion by John-Paul Britz before James de Jager gave the hosts a 2-1 lead heading into the second quarter. Kenya’s substitute keeper Josephat Ondijo made several crucial saves to keep his side in the contest, but Jack Fourie’s well-placed drag flick stretched Namibia’s lead to 3-1. The Kenyans responded through Vincent Wesonga, who capitalised on a penalty corner build-up to reduce the deficit to 3-2 just before halftime. The end-to-end action continued in the third quarter, but Namibia made the most of their chances despite being temporarily reduced to nine players due to green cards. Abraham Graham scored Namibia’s fourth before Tarankabir Bhamra pulled one back early in the final quarter to make it 4-3. However, Britz had the final say, grabbing his second of the match in the 53rd minute to secure a 5-3 victory for the hosts. The Kenyan men, who began the tournament with a draw and have now registered one loss and one draw, will face Zambia next in a crucial fixture that could shape their path to the semi-finals. Day Three Results – Monday, 21 April 2025 Women Uganda 1–5 Zimbabwe Kenya 0–4 South Africa Men Zimbabwe 1–7 South Africa Kenya 3–5 Namibia Fixtures – Tuesday, 22 April 2025 Women 10:00 – Zimbabwe vs South Africa 14:00 – Zambia vs Kenya 20:00 – Namibia vs Uganda Men 12:00 – Kenya vs Zambia 16:00 – Namibia vs Zimbabwe 18:00 – Egypt vs South Africa Source: mozzartsport.co.ke