Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa: There was no sitting back and contemplating a relaxed ending to the penultimate day of the African Hockey Olympic Qualifiers at the University of Pretoria on Saturday as Nigeria and Kenya dished up a seven-goal thriller in the men’s playoff for fifth and sixth position.
Nigeria eventually claimed fifth position by winning 4-3 thanks to a late penalty corner goal by Olawale Ajibua, which rounded off a frantic period of three goals in five minutes.
Nigeria had opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Peter John, but with one of their star players, James Samaila, sitting in the sinbin after a yellow card, Kenya struck back with two goals in four minutes. Festus Onyango put the East Africans on the board in the 21st minute, followed soon afterwards by Cliffe Omari’s penalty-corner goal.
John was once again on hand in the 35th minute to equalise for Nigeria and the score remained 2-2 until the 52nd minute when the thrilling finale began.
Samaila scored for Nigeria from a penalty corner, but Danstone Wabwire equalised four minutes later to make it 3-3. The winner came less than a minute later, however, with Ajibua ending Nigeria’s men’s campaign on a high note.
Nigeria’s women are contesting the final for the first time, taking on South Africa on Sunday.
In the men’s seventh/eighth playoff, Zambia found it convenient to score their goals in the first half and then hold Zimbabwe at bay, winning 2-0.
Joseph Simpanzye opened the scoring in the 21st minute via a penalty stroke, and the disgruntled Zimbabweans then conceded a second goal a minute later, Phillemon Bwali firing home.
Namibia used the ace penalty-corner skills of Jahntwa Kruger to win the fifth/sixth playoff in the women’s section, beating Zambia 3-0.
Kruger scored in the eighth and 46th minutes, with Charlize Rix adding an 18th-minute field goal.
Ends
Link to African Hockey google information Hub: https://l1nk.dev/lmu3f
FREE TO USE SOUNDBITE
SA women’s hockey- Anelle Van Deventer, Afrikaans, previewing the South African vs Nigeria women’s final.
SA women’s hockey captain- Erin Christie, English, previewing the South African vs Nigeria women’s final.
SA women’s hockey player- Edith Molikoe, Tshwane, previewing the South African vs Nigeria women’s final.
SA men’s hockey captain- Dayaan Cassiem, English, previewing the South African vs Egypt men’s final.
FREE TO USE PICTURES
Captions:
Namibia Sunelle Ludwig- Namibian Sunelle Ludwig clears the ball against Zambia at the African Hockey Road to Paris Qualifiers on Saturday. Namibia beat Zambia 3-0 in the playoff to end the women’s tournament in 5th position.
Zambia George Jere- Zambian midfielder Goerge Jere on the attack against Zimbabwe at the African Hockey Road to Paris Qualifiers on Saturday. Zambia upset Zimbabwe 2-0 in the playoff to end the men’s tournament in 7th position.
Nigeria Christopher Joseph- Nigerian defender Christopher Joseph slaps the ball against Kenya at the African Hockey Road to Paris Qualifiers on Saturday. Nigerai beat Kenya 4-3 in the playoff to end the men’s tournament in 5th position.
Photo Credit: ES MEDI
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tyron Barnard
+27 83 454 5018
Bruce Davidson
+27 83 212 2401
Siya Cele
+27 78 128 0706
This media release was sent out on behalf of the South African Hockey Association by BLD Communications.