Namibia on the verge of qualifying
Two down, three to go
Erwin Haindura's side beat rivals South Africa and Egypt at the African Hockey 5's World Cup qualifiers which began on 10 December and will end on 15 December.
Limba Mupetami
WINDHOEK
Namibia won their second match in the first African Hockey 5’s World Cup qualifiers 3-2 against South Africa in a loosely contested match in Ismaila, Egypt, yesterday.
The qualifiers are being contested by Namibia, host Egypt, South Africa, Zambia, and Kenya, in both the women’s and men’s categories.
Namibia’s goals were scored by Charlize Rix in the opening seconds and 11th minute of the match, whereas Taramarie Myburgh recorded a goal for Namibia in the 10th minute.
In a post-match interview, head coach Erwin Haindura said they have qualified for the final.
“Technically, we have probably qualified, and we are looking forward to it.
“It was a good game. In the beginning, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as the players didn’t stick to the game plan and kept the ball too much at the back for too long, which put us under pressure. SA had to win; we knew that they were going to come at us. We were supposed to keep the ball by throwing it around and not dripping.
“That was the area where we made mistakes. Later, we started playing deep balls in the pockets, and that’s what pushed them back. We put pressure on them, and from there, we got two balls.
Good start
Haindula praised the tournament and said it is the first time it’s being hosted on the African continent.
“It’s a first stage and it’s good for us. One goal they scored was from a deflection from one of our own sticks. I’m happy as a coach that we won the match with five goals.
In their opening match on Saturday, Namibia defeated host Egypt 5-1 with goals coming from Myburgh (third and 10th minute), Rix (11th minute), Jahntwa Kruger (15th minute), and Danya Meyer (16th minute).
Team Namibia will face Zambia at 10:00 and Kenya at 14:00 tomorrow.
The countries hope to qualify for the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup in Oman in 2024, which will be a 16-team tournament that will be the first ever World Cup played in the Hockey 5s format.
Apart from the hosts, Oman, there will be three teams each from Africa, Asia, Europe, Pan America and Oceania. Netherlands, Belgium and Poland have already qualified for the men’s Hockey 5s World Cup, from Europe.
The African qualifiers will now present three more teams for the men’s World Cup, and the first three teams for the women’s World Cup. The FIH Hockey 5s World Cup will be held in Muscat, Oman in January 2024.
WINDHOEK
Namibia won their second match in the first African Hockey 5’s World Cup qualifiers 3-2 against South Africa in a loosely contested match in Ismaila, Egypt, yesterday.
The qualifiers are being contested by Namibia, host Egypt, South Africa, Zambia, and Kenya, in both the women’s and men’s categories.
Namibia’s goals were scored by Charlize Rix in the opening seconds and 11th minute of the match, whereas Taramarie Myburgh recorded a goal for Namibia in the 10th minute.
In a post-match interview, head coach Erwin Haindura said they have qualified for the final.
“Technically, we have probably qualified, and we are looking forward to it.
“It was a good game. In the beginning, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves as the players didn’t stick to the game plan and kept the ball too much at the back for too long, which put us under pressure. SA had to win; we knew that they were going to come at us. We were supposed to keep the ball by throwing it around and not dripping.
“That was the area where we made mistakes. Later, we started playing deep balls in the pockets, and that’s what pushed them back. We put pressure on them, and from there, we got two balls.
Good start
Haindula praised the tournament and said it is the first time it’s being hosted on the African continent.
“It’s a first stage and it’s good for us. One goal they scored was from a deflection from one of our own sticks. I’m happy as a coach that we won the match with five goals.
In their opening match on Saturday, Namibia defeated host Egypt 5-1 with goals coming from Myburgh (third and 10th minute), Rix (11th minute), Jahntwa Kruger (15th minute), and Danya Meyer (16th minute).
Team Namibia will face Zambia at 10:00 and Kenya at 14:00 tomorrow.
The countries hope to qualify for the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup in Oman in 2024, which will be a 16-team tournament that will be the first ever World Cup played in the Hockey 5s format.
Apart from the hosts, Oman, there will be three teams each from Africa, Asia, Europe, Pan America and Oceania. Netherlands, Belgium and Poland have already qualified for the men’s Hockey 5s World Cup, from Europe.
The African qualifiers will now present three more teams for the men’s World Cup, and the first three teams for the women’s World Cup. The FIH Hockey 5s World Cup will be held in Muscat, Oman in January 2024.
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