AfricanHockeyRoadToTokyo: Zim hockey teams receive a glimmer of hope

    ZIMBABWE hockey teams’ road to Tokyo qualifiers received a glimmer of hope yesterday when both the men and ladies’ teams registered morale-boosting victories against Kenya in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The ladies registered a 2-0 win over Kenya with goals from Roxanne Viviers, who scored in the 44th minute from a penalty corner, before Nicola Watson added the second in the 51st minute, also from a penalty corner, to ensure the Zimbabwean ladies restored some belief that all had not been lost following two opening losses at the tournament. The Zimbabwe ladies got their tournament underway with a 1-3 loss to Ghana on Monday and a 0-2 loss to hosts South Africa in their second game. Captain Tendayi Maredza scored two penalty strokes in the 50th and 56th minutes to add on to Tatenda Kanyangarara’s 36th minute opener for the Zimbabwean men as they recorded a 3-2 win over Kenya. The Zimbabwe men’s side were hammered 6-0 by Egypt in their opening game before a 9-0 thrashing by South Africa in their second game. They are now left with two matches in their group against Namibia tomorrow and Ghana on Sunday, while the ladies side face Namibia on Sunday. Source: Chronicle (Zim)

    Alfred Ntiamoah tackles his opponent from behind during their match against South Africa

    AfricanHockeyRoadToTokyo: Ghana suffer major setback against South Africa in Tokyo 2020 qualifier

      Ghana’s high hope of picking Africa’s sole ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games suffered a major setback as the national male hockey team was handed a crushing 9-1 defeat at the hands of South Africa at the African qualifiers played at the University of Stellenbosch Hockey Stadium late on Thursday August 15. The South Africans have often been a bogey side for the Ghanaians, but after two straight wins against Kenya and Namibia, Ghana was determined to break that stranglehold on them. However, their opponents were too strong and handed Coach Ebenezer Frimpong’s side a humiliating defeat and put their best foot forward to qualify for the summer Olympics. Another strong candidate, Egypt, continued their winning ways with a 6-1 victory over Namibia. In three games played so far, the free-scoring Egyptians have hit cricket scoreline, scoring 19 goals and conceding just three following a 6-0 drubbing of Zimbabwe and a 7-2 win against Kenya.  Thursday’s game provided the hosts another chance to extend their dominance over Ghana and also make a strong case to qualify for the Olympics. They had earlier beaten Namibia 3-1 in their opening match and demolished Zimbabwe 9-0 to take their haul to 21 goals scored, with only two conceded. Against Ghana , South Africa looked a well-drilled side as they scored three goals in the first quarter through Austin Smith. He was on target again in the second quarter to take his tally to four goals with Jethro Eustice and Tevin Kok scoring a brace each as the game wore on. The hosts completed the rout as Nqobile Ntuli added this name to the score sheet with Ghana’s Ernest Opoku scoring the consolation goal for Ghana. In the other match, the free scoring Egyptians who defeated Zimbabwe and Kenya 6-0 and 7-2, respectively, in their first two matches, added Namibia to their victims with a 6-1 victory yesterday to prove that they are one of the teams to beat in this tournament. Earlier in the day, Zimbabwe came from behind to beat Kenya 3-2 to claim the maximum points in the other male division clash. It was double delight for Zimbabwe as their female team defeated Kenya 2-0 through goals by Jane Murago (14th minute of the third quarter) and Leah Omwandho (sixth minute of the last quarter). Defending women’s champions, South Africa, defeated Namibia 5-0 to move on top of the table to six points, having earlier defeated Zimbabwe 2-0. Ghana follows in second place with four points from one victory and a draw. Pix- Alfred Ntiamoah tackling an opponent from behind as he controls the ball during their match against South Africa yesterday Source: GhanaWeb.com

      Hockey coachJ Meshack Senge in the field at citypark. ON 18/08/14 [ PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE]

      AfricanHockeyRoadToTokyo: Kenyans fall to Zimbabwe in Olympic qualifiers

        Kenyan hockey teams suffered defeats to Zimbabwe as the Africa Field Hockey 2020 Olympic qualifiers entered Day Three yesterday at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. National women’s team, Tausi, suffered their first defeat of the qualifiers after fourth-placed Zimbabwe scored two late goals to collect three points in the five-team pool. Viviers Roxanne and Nicola Watson scored in the third and fourth quarter to end Kenya’s unbeaten run in South Africa. The loss saw Tom Olal’s charges drop to second with four points alongside Ghana after three matches. Kenya defeated Namibia 1-0 courtesy of Grace Makhoha in their first match before drawing 1-1 with Ghana. Olal said they have to win their last game since the matches are played in round robin if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “We are disappointed with the loss today but we have to bounce back. The result puts us at a difficult position as we have to win matches to survive. We will go back to the drawing board to work out on our mistakes since we will be facing a ruthless side today,” Olal said. In men’s category, Zimbabwe rallied from two goals down to hand Kenya’s Chui their third defeat in the six-team pool. Strathmore University forward Festus Onyango gave Kenya the lead in the second quarter before Tatenda Kanyangarara equalized for Zimbabwe in the third quarter. Amos Marango ensured Kenya kept one goal lead at the end of the third quarter before Tatenda Maredza scored a brace in the last quarter. Source: fieldhockey.com