Heuer hopeful for Junior Africa Cup preps

Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

NATIONAL Under-21 women’s hockey team coach Brad Heuer is hopeful the experience gained by some of the players from past tournaments will be key as they begin their build up for next year’s Junior Africa Cup.

The continental showpiece featuring both men’s and women’s teams is scheduled for next year in March.

The Hockey Association of Zimbabwe recently announced the junior women’s squad that is expected to begin preparation next month.

“We have got quite a lot of practice sessions planned. Obviously we don’t have a lot of time, so at the moment we are planning on training three times a week and also I have entered the team into the Harare League. It’s just seven-a-side but it will be good for them just to be playing together.

“That will be until December and in January, the 11-a-side Harare League will start and I will also have a team in that. But it’s just going to be a lot of training for now.

“Those that went to the World Cup are going to be very vital to us. Quite a few of them also have just played for the national (senior) ladies team. So they do have a lot of experience and they know what it’s like to play at that level. And I am hoping that they will be able to help out the younger girls,” said Heuer.

The likes of Tinodiwanashe Elijah, Tatenda Maswera, Kaylee Sithole, Khanyisile Mzizi and Jorja Jones were part of the team that participated at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in April.

Some of the players were also part of the senior national team that took part at the Africa Cup of Nations in January and the Central South Africa qualifier for the African Games held in Harare more than a month ago.

“There is a lot that everyone needs to put in. The girls, mainly for them they need to do a lot of training by themselves with their fitness and then we will have skill sessions one day and then more match playing kind of training on the weekends and obviously with the matches as well.

“So it’s really their fitness that I need them to really focus on which is going to be a lot of work for them.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we will have time for any friendlies against other countries. We are, however, hopefully going to play a lot of games against quite a few teams in Harare. We will try to orgnise games against the national ladies’ team and the masters’ team.

Under-21 Women’s squad

Ella Allardice, Tanyaradzwa Changa, Tanatswa Chikotosa, Tayla Dean, Tinodiwanashe Elijah, Tayla Ellerman, Done Esasmus, Kiara Goodinson, Chelsey-Lee Hares, Amy Hay, Mary Chloe Honey, Jorja Jones, Panaka Kambadza, Danielle Lowe, Tatenda Maswera, Tariro Mautsa, Siphosenkosi Moyo, Nakai Mujaranji, Athina Mujiba, Tanatswa Mukotekwa, Audrey Mutandiro, Natasha Muwani, Khanyisile Mzizi, Kelcy Ndoro, Nyasha Nyaguze, Nicole Nyamapfeka, Emma Reilly, Tumi Sibanda, Kaylee Sithole, Amber Tozana, Rumbidzaiishe Zimuto, Bethel Chidzwondot (gk), Theodora Chingombe (gk), Jamie-Lee Kashula (gk), Ayanda Mangenah (gk), Tanatswa Mutaramuswa (gk).