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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S senior women’s hockey team will get their campaign rolling at the Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) with a clash against South Africa in their opening game in Pool A.
The continental showpiece is due to take place from January 17 to 23 in Accra, Ghana.
Both men’s and women’s teams will converge in Ghana for the competition. However, Zimbabwe are fielding the women’s team only.
They are in Pool A together with South Africa, Namibia and Uganda.
According to the fixtures released on Tuesday, Zimbabwe’s first game in Pool A is on January 17 against neighbours South Africa.
They will then face Uganda the following day and wrap-up the group games against Namibia on January 19.
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe secretary-general, Sarah Bennett, said they are hoping the Covid-19 pandemic will not affect the tournament.
The squad is already in place and the national association are currently working with the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ministry to ensure they meet all the Covid-19 requirements.
“Covid is always a threat. Hopefully it will not stop them from going to the tournament. HAZ is in constant communication with the team itself and Ministry of Sport, organising and implementing the necessary requirements dictated by Covid protocols,” said Bennett.
Bennett said the squad has been working together for two years and with the fixtures out now, they are set to be making final touches to their preparations.
“They have been preparing and training for two years. They will analyse the teams who they will be facing and prepare accordingly. They will continue with their programme and training,” said Bennett.
From the pool matches, there will be cross-pool play-offs and then the final games to determine the final rankings.
Pool B is made up of hosts Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia.
The Zimbabwean side is targeting a podium finish at the continental showpiece.
The men’s competition is featuring seven teams – South Africa, Kenya, Namibia, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda.
Pool A consists of South Africa, Kenya and Namibia while Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda were drawn in Pool B.
Participation at the Africa Cup will be a positive development for the local game following the postponement of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup that was scheduled for South Africa.
The tournament was scheduled to run from December 5 to 16 in South Africa before it was put on hold because of Covid-19.
Online Reporter