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SEVEN international players have been named in the Zimbabwe national men’s and women’s squads for the African Olympic Qualifiers (AOQ) set for Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 23 to November 1. Hockey Association of Zimbabwe selectors included the South African-based duo of Takudzwa Mangwendeza and Warick Ullrich as well as Rowland Rixon-Fuller, who plies his trade in the United Kingdom, in the men’s side. The four foreign-based women players are Jordyn Clipstone (US) and the South African-based trio of Stephanie Campbell, Kelly Kaulback and Aime Nativel. HAZ selectors for the men are Collin Williams, Tongayi Mukwewa, Keith Kachambwa and Eddie Chiringa, who is also in the women’s selectors panel together with Nicola Watson, Tendayi Maredza and Sarah Bennett.
The men’s team manager Kalphesh Parshotam said the foreign-based players will link up with the locally based players a week before the start of the tournament.
“Our intentions are to have a week-long camp either here or in South Africa before the start of the tournament. We will link up with the foreign-based players in South Africa where most are based,” said Kalpesh.
The last AOQ were hosted by Zimbabwe at the Kumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo in 2011.
Meanwhile, Hippo Valley and Bulawayo Athletic Club defended the men’s and women’s HAZ Cup titles at the clubs’ competition held in Bulawayo at the weekend.
The two teams will now represent Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Club Championships (ACCC) to be held in Zambia later this year.
Zimbabwe teams
Women: Jordyn Clipstone (USA) -goalkeeper, Jaime Hasbroek (Sunrise)-goalkeeper, Sarah Evans (Chelsea Drifters), Jenna Palmer (Chelsea Drifters), Stephanie Campbell (South Africa), Kelly Kaulback( South Africa), Aimee Nativel (South Africa), Chantelle Zietsman( Bulawayo Athletics Club), Jessica Dollar(Chelsea Drifters), Roxy Viviers (Sunrise),Jessica Hilton-Barber( BAC), Michelle Williams ( BAC), Simone Karim(BAC), Audrey Mangwende (Hippo Valley), Iman Johnson ( Harmony Rainbow), Mitchel Mullins (BAC), Kelly Diplock (Scorpions), Aime Brooke (Chelsea Drifters)
Non-travelling reserves: Runyararo Chadzinya (Hippo Valley), Melissa Sibanda (BAC), Rashmi Bhagat (BAC) and Kelly Hinze (Scorpions)
Coach: Eddie Chiringa
Manageress: Collen Nativel
Men: Tinavo Mushavi, Pritchard Matambo, Cydreck Starch, Donald Mutupo, Tendayi Maredza, Matthew Williams, Ranga Mungwiniri, Arnold Mpofu, (all Hippo Valley) Tapiwa Mafi (Enthusiasts) , Neil Davidson (Bulawayo Vikings), Rowland Rixon-Fuller (UK), Takudzwa Mangwendeza (South Africa), Peter Trethowan (Bulawayo Vikings), Edwin Tholanah (Bulawayo Hockey Club), Warick Ullrich (South Africa), Takudzwa Chipuma (Eradicators), Dominic Ashely (Falcon College) and Michael Richards (Bulawayo Vikings)
Non-travelling reserves: Esau Mufandaedza (Hippo Valley), Kanyiwe Tapfuma (Hippo Valley), Kudzanayi Tembo (Enthusiasts), Prosper Sithole (South Africa), Sibo Mangena (Rams) and Thamsy Moyo(Bulawayo Hockey Club)
Coaches: Collin Williams and Tongayi Mukwewa
Manager: Kalpesh Parshotam
Online Reporter