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

15 Apr, 2025 From 18 to 25 April 2025, the best junior men’s and women’s hockey teams from Africa will compete in Windhoek, Namibia in the Junior Africa Cup 2025, with the final three men’s and women’s spots up for grabs in the upcoming FIH Junior Hockey World Cups 2025, to be played in India (men’s) and Chile (women’s), with an expanded competition format that will feature 24 teams in each competition for the very first time! In the men’s competition, it will be Egypt, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe scrapping for the three spots available from Africa in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup India 2025. The teams have been split into two pools, with Pool A comprising Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa, while it’ll be Egypt, Zambia and Zimbabwe competing in Pool B. Following the pool stages where each team plays the others in their pool once, the top two teams in both pools will qualify for the semi-finals. The winning teams in the semi-finals will qualify not just for the final, but also gain entry into the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup India 2025. The losing semi-finalists will then play in the bronze medal match with the winner becoming the final entrant to the World Cup. In the women’s competition, it will be Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe competing for the final three spots available in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2025. The six teams have been split into two pools of three teams each, with Pool A comprising Namibia, South Africa and Uganda, while it’ll be Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe competing in Pool B. Following the pool stages where each team plays the others in their pool once, the top two teams in both pools will qualify for the semi-finals. Similar to the men’s competition, the winning semi-finalists will qualify for the finals as well as the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2025 and the losing semi-finalists will play in the bronze medal match with the winner becoming the final entrant to the World Cup. For more details about the event, click here. The FIH Junior Hockey Men’s World Cup 2025 will be played in Chennai and Madurai, India. As hosts India have already qualified for the competition. Belgium, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Austria and Switzerland have qualified from Europe. Argentina, Canada and Chile have qualified from the Americas. Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand secured qualification from Asia. Australia and New Zealand have qualified from Oceania. Following the three qualifiers from Africa, the qualification process for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup India 2025 will be complete. The FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 will be played in Santiago, Chile. Chile have qualified as the hosts of the competition. Argentina, Uruguay, United States and Canada have qualified from the Americas. Austria, Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Wales and Scotland have qualified from Europe. India, China, Japan, Korea and Malaysia secured qualification from Asia. Australia and New Zealand have secured their spot at the event from Oceania. Following the three qualifiers from Africa, the qualification process for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup Chile 2025 will be complete. Source: fih.hockey