Hockey Olympic qualifiers on

Nhlanhla Mbele

THE national men and women hockey squads will mid-next month take part in the Tokyo Olympic Games qualifiers set for Stellenbosch, South Africa, from 12 to 18 August.

In that regard, Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) announced the two respective teams that are going to represent the country amid revelations that the Tendai Maredza-captained men’s side will get its campaign underway in Pool B against North African giants Egypt on 12 August.

Their second game will be on the next day against Namibia and they will wrap up their group games with a match against Ghana on 15 August. 

Pool A has Uganda, Nigeria and hosts South Africa, and the top two sides from each pool will progress to the semi-finals.

The Zimbabwe ladies, who have been in camp for four months, were drawn in Group A alongside Ghana, Namibia, and Uganda. Group B is made up of Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria. 

“We have steadily built up for the qualifiers from a very good World Series open tournament that was held in Bulawayo’s Khumalo Hockey Stadium last year in December. Preparations for the qualifiers are going on well. The team is training four times a week with sessions being held at Arundel and St John’s turfs in Harare. We have also travelled to Bulawayo to guard against having players that stay in the City of Kings travelling all the way to Harare,” said Zimbabwe women’s hockey coach Angus McVey.

His charges are on position 66 on the world rankings.

“We are targeting to break into the top 30 in the world by the end of the tournament. In that regard, for us it’s not all about making it to the Olympics but we seek to also improve on our world rankings. This will see us being able to invite international teams to come to Zimbabwe, raise more awareness on the game and encourage young players to take up the sport,” he said. 

National Women’s Team

Jordyn Clipstone, Jenna Mathieson, Alexel Terblanche, Belinda Marais, Farai Nengare, Keara O’toole, Georgia Allardice, Gugu Sibanda, Iman Johnson, Lilian Pope, Mary Houghton, Natalie Terblanche, Nicole Grant, Simone Herbst, Sophie Mcdonald, Michelle Williams, Roxanne Viviers, Nicky Watson.

National Men’s Team 

Alec Chomunowa, Amos Chomunowa, Arnold Mpofu, Bradley Heuer, Daniel Van Rooyen, Dumisani Moyo, Esau Mufandaedza, Gift Chomunowa, Isheanesu Maria, Philip Machaya, Pritchard Matambo, Rangarirai Mungwiriri, Tafadzwa Mugore, Takudzwa Mangwendeza, Tatenda Kanyangarara, Tendai Maredza, Tony ORiardon.

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