Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa: South Africa’s men’s team were able to ascertain who their semi-final opponents will be, while also hammering Uganda 11-0 in the African Hockey Road to Paris Olympic Qualifier at the University of Pretoria on Wednesday.
The hosts’ dominant victory confirmed first place in Pool A for them, and they will play Ghana in Friday’s last semi-final at 7.15pm.
Ghana beat Kenya 3-1 in a tightly contested game on Wednesday, Elikem Akaba scoring twice in what was effectively a quarterfinal.
Egypt saw off Zambia 4-1, Hossameldin Ragab grabbing a hat-trick, to finish top of Pool B.
They will play Uganda in the other semi-final at 2.45pm on Friday. Uganda made it through to the last four on goal-difference, edging out Nigeria and Zimbabwe by three goals after the trio had all won a single match in this qualifying tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The women’s semi-finals were also decided on Wednesday. South Africa had already qualified top of Pool A and had a rest day, but Nigeria sealed their spot with a thrilling 2-1 win over Zimbabwe, Comfort Saturday scoring both goals, her winner coming with five minutes remaining from a penalty corner.
Ghana hammered Zambia 7-1, Mavis Berko and Doris Antwi both grabbing a brace, but they were pushed into second place in Pool B when Kenya scraped past Namibia 1-0 with a 53rd-minute penalty corner goal by Grace Bwire.
Friday’s fixtures have been revised to allow the South African men’s and women’s teams to play their semi-finals back-to-back. The local women will take on Ghana at 5pm on Friday, while Kenya play Nigeria at 12.30pm in the other women’s semi-final.
South Africa’s men’s team played calculated, patient hockey against Uganda, their impressive build-up play being like a computer assessing all the options and then spitting out the right answer.
Staunch Ugandan defence, led by left back Alfred Agaba and goalkeeper Bosco Ochan, kept the hosts scoreless until the last two minutes of the first quarter, when Matt de Sousa powered a finish into the far corner to open the scoring, and Matthew Guise-Brown then sent a penalty-corner drag-flick flying into the back of the net.
Captain Dayaan Cassiem was clinical with the ball and set-up three goals in the second quarter, for Bili Ntuli, Keenan Horne and Sam Mvimbi.
With a 5-0 lead at halftime, South Africa were able to try out a few things in the second half, and at times lost a bit of attacking structure. But they still scored regularly, despite some superb saves by replacement goalkeeper Richard Kaijuka. Guise-Brown churned out another two short-corner goals for a hat-trick and Mustapha Cassiem scored a stunning reverse-sticks field goal and then two more at the set-piece.
Brad Sherwood also made it on to the scoresheet and coach Cheslyn Gie was well-pleased with his team’s display.
“I’m very happy with the way we played, and we executed well, we were very effective in everything we wanted to get done and the players did everything asked of them well.
“Against the most structured defence in our pool, we made life as difficult as possible for them, we kept our shape and got through their deep press. I’m really happy that we showed a lot of patience in our build-up.
“We set up our structure and made easy circle entries and all our strikers are scoring goals, which is good for their confidence heading into the knockout rounds. We were also able to protect our players a bit more and there were no injuries,” a pleased Gie said.
The most thrilling match of the day saw Nigeria edge out Zimbabwe 4-3 which cost the Southern African side a semi-final place.
Nigeria went 2-0 up after 24 minutes, but Zimbabwe had snatched a 3-2 lead just 19 minutes later. James Samaila had the final say, however, with two more goals for Nigeria, the winner coming from a penalty corner in the final minute.
Nigeria play Zambia (4.30pm) and Kenya take on Zimbabwe (6.45pm) on Thursday in the fifth-to-eighth playoffs, while in the women’s qualifier, Zimbabwe meet Namibia at 2.15pm in the fifth-to-seventh playoffs.
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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Patrick Taylor- Ghana women’s coach- English
Cheslyn Gie- coach men’s SA hockey team, English
Nduduzo Lembethe- player SA men’s hockey, Isizulu
Cheslyn Gie- coach men’s SA hockey team, Afrikaans
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Captions:
Ghanian midfielder- Lydia Afriyie in action against Zambia on Wednesday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. Ghana beat Zambia 7-1 to secure them a women’s semi-final spot on Friday against hosts South Africa.
Mavis Berko- the Ghana defender celebrates after her team beat Zambia 7-1 on Monday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. The win earned Ghana a women’s semi-final berth on Friday against hosts South Africa.
Benjamin Acquah- Ghanian goalkeeper, Benjamin Acquah in action against Kenya on Wednesday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. Ghana beat Kenya 3-1 to secure them a men’s semi-final spot on Friday against hosts South Africa.
Samkelo Mvimbi- South Africa’s Samkelo Mvimbi, prepares for a short corner injection against Uganda on Wednesday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. The South African men dominated Uganda 11-0. On Friday South Africa will play Ghana in the semifinals.
Ntuli Nqobile- Playing his 95th cap, South African striker Nqobile Ntuli, fights for the ball against Uganda on Wednesday at the African Hockey Road To Paris being played at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane. The South African men dominated Uganda 11-0. On Friday South Africa will play Ghana in the semifinals.
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.