Semi-Final picture becomes clearer on the second day of the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifier
Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa: The group stages have one day remaining at the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifier in Pretoria, but the picture of who will contend the semi-finals has started becoming clearer as some teams secured their spots while others put one foot in the final four.
In the women’s tournament Kenya secured their spot in the final four with a thrilling win over their old rivals and higher ranked opponents Ghana. Having started the day ranked 3 spots lower in the World Rankings Kenya were hoping for a perfect performance and they found the perfect start leading 2-0 at the half time break through Eleanor Chebet and Grace Bwire. Mavis Berko pulled one back, before Maureen Okumu restored 3-1. A late Berko goal proved to be a consolation as Kenya secured the win and space in the final four.
Zambia defeated Namibia 3-2 which kept their hopes alive ahead of their final game in the pool stage with Ghana on Wednesday. Namibia is consigned to the 5-8 Playoff.
South Africa secured their place in the final four coming out on top of a bruising encounter against Nigeria. The South Africans toiled to create their opening coming up against an inspired goalkeeper Martha Uko.
The South African supremacy eventually told as Tarryn Lombard broke the deadlock and they quickly doubled when Bianca Wood slammed home a rebounded effort. The South Africans put the game beyond doubt when veteran Celia Seerane slotted home. The final gloss was added to the score line by a late Kristen Paton goal to secure South Africa’s place in the Semi-Final after a 4-0 win.
“I think we didn’t play as well as we can,” shared Giles Bonnet the SA Women’s Head Coach “the score line doesn’t worry me too much, I want to see the performance. The conditions might have made things difficult for us, but technically we played below our level today and we will look to fix that for the semi-final.”
The South African result means that Nigeria and Zimbabwe will face off on Wednesday in a match to determine the second semi-finalist from Pool A.
In the men’s tournament Egypt were the first team to put their name on the Semi-Final list having secured a 1-0 win over Ghana. Mostafa Ragab scored in the 9th minute and Egypt held on despite some great pressure from the Ghanaians.
Kenya will have an opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals on Wednesday when they play Ghana having scored a late penalty stroke to douse the fires of the Zambian challenge and end their chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games
African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifiers (W) – Day 2 Results
Pool A – South Africa 4-0 Nigeria
Pool B – Kenya 3-2 Ghana
Pool B – Zambia 3-2 Namibia
African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifiers (M) – Day 2 Results
Pool B – Kenya 1-0 Zambia
Pool B – Ghana 0-1 Egypt
Pool A – Uganda 0-0 Zimbabwe
Ends
Link to African Hockey Road to Paris Team and Information: https://tms.fih.ch/competitions/1620
Link to African Hockey google information Hub: https://l1nk.dev/lmu3f
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Giles Bonnet- SA Women’s Hockey Coach English
Onthatile Zulu- SA Women’s Hockey player Tswana
Stephanie Botha- SA Women’s Hockey player Afrikaans
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Captions:
Eleanor Namuren- Kenya: The Kenyan midfielder celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Ghana on Monday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. Kenya beat Ghana 3-2 to secure their semi-final berth.
Ashraf Said- Egypt: Egyptian striker Ashraf Said in action against Ghana on Monday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. Egypt beat Ghana 1-0 which secured them a semi-final spot.
Stephanie Botha- South African women’s defender, Stephanie Botha in action on Monday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. South Africa beat Nigeria 4-0 which secured them a semi-final spot.
Onthatile Zulu- the South African women’s striker on the run against Nigeria on Monday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. South Africa beat Nigeria 4-0 to secure their semi-final berth.
Photo Credit: ES MEDIA
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This media release was sent out on behalf of the South African Hockey Association by BLD Communications.