Final Pool Stage Recap | Windhoek, Namibia Both the South African U21 Men and Women’s teams wrapped up the group stages of the Junior Africa Cup with victories to secure a 100% record, setting the stage for Friday’s double-header final against hosts Namibia. While both sides were already assured of qualification to the FIH Junior World Cup, the day’s results ensured momentum and bragging rights heading into the gold medal matches. Women: South Africa 6–1 Namibia With both teams safely through to the World Cup and final, the match between South Africa and Namibia had the feel of a high-quality dress rehearsal. Despite the lighter tension, the South African Women remained focused and clinical. Teshawn de la Rey opened the scoring early, and Olympian Ntsopa Mokoena doubled the lead before half-time. In the third quarter, captain Caylin Maree netted a quick-fire brace, while fellow Olympian Paris-Gail Isaacs extended the advantage to 5–0. Namibia found a breakthrough — the first goal conceded by South Africa all tournament — through Mia Karsten, but fittingly, it was de la Rey who completed the scoring with her second of the day. South Africa head into Friday’s final with 33 goals scored and just one conceded, aiming to defend their African title and head to Chile as continental champions. Men: South Africa 2–1 Kenya The South African Men were given their sternest test of the tournament by a fired-up Kenyan side chasing momentum ahead of their third-place playoff against Egypt — a clash that will decide Africa’s final Junior World Cup berth. Kenya stunned the South Africans with an early goal from Bhamra, putting South Africa behind for the first time in the competition. Carloon Mentoor struck back to level the scores, but what followed was a physical, tactical battle with chances at a premium. With just minutes remaining, Ross Montgomery forced the ball over the line in a crowded circle to seal a dramatic 2–1 victory and protect South Africa’s perfect record. Having achieved their primary goal of World Cup qualification, South Africa now turn their attention to retaining their title as African champions in Friday’s final against the hosts. Friday Finals – All to Play For: Women’s Final: South Africa vs Namibia – 16:25 Men’s Final: South Africa vs Namibia – 19:00 Both matches will be streamed live on the African Hockey YouTube channel, as South Africa looks to cap off a dominant tournament with two gold medals. Source: sahockey.co.za

24 April 2025 Both Namibia’s men and women’s u21 hockey teams qualified for the Junior World Cup after winning their pool matches at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek on Tuesday. Namibia’s men beat Zimbabwe 4-1 to go second on the log and secure a place against South Africa in tomorrow’s final. Owen Hatton opened Namibia’s account after only two minutes, and although Matipa Mawhere equalised for Zimbabwe in the second quarter, Hatton immediately restored Namibia’s lead from a short corner. Namibia finished stronger after the break with Hatton completing his hattrick in the third quarter, while Giovane Handura made it 4-1 in the final quarter. That put Namibia in second place on the log on nine points behind South Africa who earlier beat Egypt 5-0 to remain top on 12 points. Kenya, meanwhile, beat Zambia 2-1 to go third on five points, but they cannot catch Namibia anymore, who will contest tomorrow’s final against South Africa, regardless of their result against Zambia today. By reaching the final, Namibia have now secured a top-three place at the Junior World Cup in Chennai and Madurai, India in November. Namibia’s women also qualified for the Women’s Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile in December, after beating Uganda 4-0 on Tuesday. Goals by Milah Malan, Maryke Kruger, Marlene Coetzee and Marika Neethling gave them a comfortble win which maintained their unbeaten status, putting them level with South Africa on 12 points at the top of the log. Zimbabwe, who lost 5-0 to South Africa, are third on six points and cannot catch Namibia, who take on South Africa in their final pool match at 15h00 today. Source: namibian.com.na

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