Mzansi secures double 22/23 World Cup spots

It was a day to remember for South African hockey fans as both the ladies and gents qualified for their respective FIH World Cups, having triumphed as unrivalled victors of the African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

The women’s side took on a spirited Ghanaian side, spurred on by a passionate home audience. That was not enough to deny the visiting South Africans, who went on to register a convincing 3-1 victory and seal their seventh consecutive triumph at the continental showpiece.

Playing in her 51st test for her country, Ghana’s Elizabeth Opuku found the back of the net for the fifth time in the tournament, giving the hosts an early lead inside six minutes.

The South Africans rallied together, applying pressure on the Ghanaian defensive efforts, which eventually crumbled in the 15th minute as Charne Maddocks leveled matters. Countrywoman, Kirsten Paton added a second goal for the visitors eight minutes later.

The South Africans continued their hunt for more goals, but Ghana defended with great determination, before and after the break.

Neither one of the sides would cash in on created opportunities until the 55th minute, where Lilian du Plessis sealed the victory for her teammates as they perfected a penalty corner to rubber stamp their authority and be crowned champions of Africa once more.

Keeping star Phumelela Mbande said she was incredibly excited to be crowned African champions, while giving praise to their opponents.

“It was a great effort from my team, to go out there and give it our best. We have done what we came here to do, and we are just excited for what’s coming over the next six months,” she said.

Over in the men’s draw, South Africa went head-to-head with North African nation, Egypt.

South Africa got off the blocks well, earning the first shot at goal as Brad Sherwood and Bili Ntuli combined, forcing Farahat Shehata to make a routine save. South Africa’s spirited play would soon pay off, finding the back of the net for an early lead in the 13th minute. Matt Guise-Brown was given two penalty corners and the finish on the second came crashing into the side net like the recent rainfall back home.

Egypt were not be written out of the game, leveling matters 10 minutes later with a moment of magic from Ziad Adel. The 18-year-old Egyptian made the perfect run in between Le-Neal Jackson and Gowan Jones on his way to finishing the play with a superb goal.

Going into the halftime break, nothing could separate the two nations. with neither managing to break the other, forcing the encounter to be decided via penalty takes for the first time since 2005. Ironically, both nations faced off in that encounter, with South Africa putting their home advantage to good use then.

Gowan Jones starred in the shootout between goals, saving three of the four penalties for the South Africans. The honour of seeing a Southern nation crowned, fell on the shoulders of Brad Sherwood.

It was an opportunity to seal his country’s continental status and world cup fate, a moment that the Maritzburg College old boy would not miss.

The final score line would read 3-1 after penalties as South Africa made it a double FIH Hockey World Cup qualification, in one day.

“It has been incredible here in Ghana, thank you the Ghanaian Hockey Association. To Egypt, they put on a great fight… but we made it count and we are looking forward to the World Cup in 2023,” remarked a tired but jubilant Jones.

To complete Mzansi’s dominance of the tournament, the rainbow nation walked away with five individual prizes. Both Tarryn Lombard and Matt Guise-Brown (13) flew home with the top goal scorers’ awards, while Nqobile ‘Bili’ Ntuli was named the Player of the Tournament, as Phumelela Mbande received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament prize.

A successfully golden tournament for the sport and a well-deserved crowning moment for a group of players who have continued to devote their time to the pride of the nation.

Both sides now shift their attention to the global stage. The men have some 354 days to get ready for the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup in Rourkela, India. Meanwhile the women’s side must shift a gear and up their preparations as they prepare for the 2022 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup in six months’ time in Terrassa, Spain, and Amstelveen, the Netherlands.

African Hockey Cup of Nations 2022 - Women's Final Standings

1. South Africa 2. Ghana 3. Kenya 4. Zimbabwe

5. Nigeria 6. Namibia 7. Zambia 8. Uganda

African Hockey Cup of Nations 2022 - Men's Final Standings

1. South Africa 2. Egypt 3. Nigeria

4. Kenya 5. Ghana 6. Uganda

7. Namibia

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