Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING the announcement of the Under-21 team to compete at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile, coach Brad Heuer says the focus will be more on game time together as a unit.
The tournament, to run from December 1 to 13, will feature 24 teams.
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe announced the final 18 plus two reserves on Monday.
The likes of Amber Tozana, Khanyisile Mzizi, Ella Allardice and Nakai Mujaranji (all based in the United States) and Netherlands-based Tinodiwanashe Elijah were part of the team that competed at the 2023 World Junior Cup in Chile.
“A lot of the players have played together before somehow, like either in Chile two years ago or at the Junior Africa Cup in Namibia earlier this year.
“So, they all know how each other play, that’s quite a big positive for us.
“But it’s mainly just playing that little bit more together when we get to Chile and working on set pieces and stuff like that,” said Heuer.
As they return for the same event to be staged in Chile again, Heuer is also banking on their experience.
They are also playing for their university teams and clubs in their respective bases.
Tozana and Allardice are both playing for Newberry College, while Mzizi is at the University of Lynchburg.
Mujaranji is at the University of Mount Olive.
Elijah is playing for Enschedese Hockey Vereniging (EHV) in Netherlands.
“The ones who came to Chile two years ago, the majority of them are playing overseas.
“And, yeah, so we are hoping that as well as their experience from Chile, they are also going to bring that experience from playing for clubs in the Netherlands and for their universities in the States.
“We are hoping to get quite a lot out of them, especially as mentors for those younger players who haven’t yet been to a World Cup.
“And in terms of preparation, we are going to continue training in Harare and Bulawayo just for those players who are in those areas.
“And we plan to do the same as two years ago, where we are going to go to Chile a week before the tournament and have those five, six, or seven days to really plan out game plans and the expectations of all the players and everything,” said Heuer.
The 24 teams were grouped into six pools of four, and Zimbabwe were drawn in Pool B alongside Argentina, Belgium and Wales.
Posting on their Facebook page, HAZ urged the nation to rally behind the team.
“We’re proud to announce the official Zimbabwe U21 Women’s Team travelling to the FIH Junior World Cup 2025 in Santiago, Chile this December.
“These talented young women have worked tirelessly to earn their place among the world’s best — representing our country with passion, pride, and determination.
“Let’s rally behind our girls as they take Zimbabwe to the world stage,” reads part of the post by HAZ.
Zimbabwe Team:
Amber Tozana, Asante Ali, Ayanda Mangenah, Chelsey Hares, Ella Allardice, Hannah Godfrey, Janelle Wightman, Jodie Anderson, Khanyisile Mzizi, Mufarowashe Matambo, Mutsawashe Musiyiwa, Nakai Mujaranji, Nyasha Bvute, Panaka Kambadza, Rebeca Winsor, Ruvarashe Mushavi, Tanya Changa, and Tinodiwanashe Elijah.
Reserves: Tayla Ellerman, Vimbai Chituku.
