In a thrilling rematch of the previous Indoor African Cup Final, the SPAR South African Indoor Hockey Women emerged victorious over Namibia at the MTC Dome in Swakopmund, reclaiming their title as African Champions. Despite both teams having already secured spots at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup, the game was fiercely contested, driven by national pride. The game’s first significant moment saw Laylaa Davids’ attempt saved by Namibia’s Petro Stoffberg. However, Davids quickly made her mark by assisting Tegan Fourie, who scored her 71st international goal in her 71st start, putting South Africa ahead. SPAR South Africa extended their lead with a stunning goal from Jess Lardant, who fired a penalty corner into the top corner, making it 2-0 by the first break. Namibia fought back, earning a penalty corner that was cleared off the line, but an unforced error allowed South Africa to counterattack. Brisset fed Davids, who made no mistake, increasing the lead to 3-0 by halftime. Namibia’s Jivanka Kruger set up Jerrica Bartlett to pull one back, igniting the home crowd. Both teams’ goalkeepers made critical saves, maintaining the 3-1 scoreline into the final quarter. Namibia launched a comeback with Kiana Cormack scoring twice, once from a turnover and then from a penalty corner, leveling the game at 3-3 and setting the crowd alight. South Africa’s Sarah Paget made crucial saves to keep the score tied, sending the game to a shootout. In the shootout, the teams remained deadlocked after three rounds. Finally, Tegan Fourie, the 2023 SA Indoor Hockey Player of the Year, delivered the decisive goal, securing South Africa’s first continental crown in a decade. Individual Awards – Indoor Africa Cup 2024 Goalkeeper of the tournament – Sarah Paget (SPAR South Africa) Player of the tournament – Kiana Cormack (Namibia) Top Goal scorer – Azaylee Philander (Namibia) Final Standings – Indoor Africa Cup 2024 1 – SPAR South Africa 2 – Namibia 3 – Zimbabwe

Swakopmund – The SPAR South Africa Indoor Hockey Women’s team clinched their place at the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia with a resounding 14-0 victory over Zimbabwe on the final day of pool action. Knowing a draw would suffice for qualification, the South African team left no room for doubt with a stunning display of skill and dominance. Malikah Hamza set the tone by scoring within the first 120 seconds. Cerian Fourie followed with a successful penalty corner, and Tegan Fourie capitalized on a sweeping counterattack, ending the first quarter with a 3-0 lead. Zimbabwean captain Sarah Evans made a brilliant goal-line clearance, but South Africa soon struck again with Jess Lardant’s powerful flick from a penalty corner. By halftime, South Africa extended their lead to 6-0, with further goals from Laylaa Davids, Malikah Hamza, and Tegan Fourie, who netted her 69th international goal. The team maintained their momentum in the second half, with Lardant scoring again and Cailynn den Bakker adding to the tally with a superb individual run. As the match progressed, Malikah Hamza completed her hat-trick, and the final quarter saw some of South Africa’s best play. Cailynn den Bakker, Malikah Hamza, and Tegan Fourie all found the net, with Fourie assisting her sister for a top-corner finish. Lardant capped the game with her hat-trick, equalling South Africa’s best-ever result against Zimbabwe. This emphatic victory not only secured South Africa’s top spot in the pool stage on goal difference but also guaranteed their place in the final and their qualification for the 2025 Indoor World Cup.

The South African Indoor Hockey Men’s team faced off against the hosts in Swakopmund at the Indoor Africa Cup, aiming to top the pool stage and virtually secure a spot in the tournament final, which also serves as a qualifier for the FIH Indoor World Cup 2025 in Croatia. Supported by Tops at SPAR, South Africa introduced debutants Hans Neethling, Cullin de Jager, and Lerou Ditlhakanyane. Meanwhile, veterans Jethro Eustice and Justin Domleo, the most capped players in SA Men’s Indoor Hockey history, brought their extensive experience to the game. Captain Eustice opened the scoring with a precise penalty corner shot into the bottom corner. Mustapha Cassiem then doubled the lead with a brilliant finish, marking his 34th consecutive international indoor game with a goal, ending the first quarter at 2-0. The South African defense, led by de Jager, effectively neutralized Namibia’s attacks, allowing Mustapha Cassiem to score his 79th international indoor goal from a penalty corner variation, making it 3-0. As the half neared its end, Dayaan Cassiem swiftly reacted to a loose ball, lifting it home to secure a 4-0 lead at the halftime buzzer. In the second half, Dayaan Cassiem assisted his brother, who completed his hat-trick with a spectacular over-the-shoulder shot, bringing the score to 5-0. De Jager, on debut, maintained a clean sheet with a crucial save. Namibia mounted a spirited comeback in the final quarter, energizing the crowd. JP Britz scored a penalty corner, followed by Fagan Hansen’s unselfish play to set up another goal, reducing the deficit to 5-2. Hansen then scored again, making it 5-3 with five minutes remaining. Cody van der Merwe added another, bringing the score to a tense 5-4. Despite the pressure, South Africa, led by their resolute captain Eustice, alongside Domleo and the Cassiem brothers, managed to quell the Namibian surge and secure a victory. This win virtually assures the defending champions a place in the tournament final. Remaining Fixtures: 25 May 2024 – 11:00 – South Africa vs. Zimbabwe 26 May 2024 – 14:00 – Bronze Medal Match 26 May 2024 – 17:00 – Gold Medal Match Source: sahockey.co.za | May 24, 2024