tawandamusarurwa
Evelyn Matimbire
IT has been a whirlwind couple of months for Zimbabwe hockey starlet Amber Tozana.
As the youngest member of the Zimbabwe Under-21 World Cup-bound hockey team, the 17-year-old had “some butterflies in the stomach’’ when the team went to Egypt for the Junior Africa Cup, which served as qualifiers for the World Cup in Chile.
While preparations for the tournament were less than ideal, there were huge expectations on her as one of the team’s key midfielders.
Luckily for her, in Kanyisile Mzizi and Jorja Jones, she found a sisterhood and calming presence in camp.
“Yes, there was a lot of pressure as I didn’t want to let anyone down,” said Tozana.
“I was lucky to get wonderful teammates like Kanyisile Langelihle Mzizi and Jorja Jones, who really helped me through it all.
“They told me I could do it, and that helped a lot,” she said.
Tozana learnt a few valuable lessons during her debut continental assignment in Egypt.
“During the Junior Africa Cup, I learnt the importance of teamwork.
“It is better to work as a team and enjoy than be frustrated.
“I realised that the more we work together on the field, and off it, the more we enjoyed what we do,” she said.
She believes teamwork will be key at the World Cup in Chile in December.
But the athlete is already plotting her next move to take her hockey career to another level and play for the senior national team.
“I do wish to play for the women’s senior national team, and it would be a blessing if that dream comes true.
“For now, that is the main aim,” said the Bulawayo-based player.
“Making it into the Under-21 squad was the first step, and I was always hopeful that we would make it to the World Cup.
“Now that I have achieved those goals, I know I am capable of doing so much more.
“I am setting higher standards for myself.”
Ironically, Tozana came into the squad as a late replacement for Amy Hay and made full use of the opportunity, earning praise from her coach Brad Heuer.
“When Amy got injured, we had to replace her and there were a few options available,” said Heuer.
“At that time, Amber (Tozana) was performing well and was in good form.
“We called her up, and, yeah, she played really well.
“She held her own, especially when you consider that she is so young and was playing against girls who are a lot older than her,” he said.
So impressed was the gaffer that he now sees a bright future for Tozana.
“We were really happy with her performance . . .
“She has a lot of time to mature and grow, what with this World Cup, the qualifiers for the next (2025) and her last year with the team in 2027.
“If she keeps on playing and training like she has been doing, then there is no doubt that she will make it into the Zimbabwe senior women’s team one day,” Heuer said.
Online Reporter