Under-21 hockey team manager confident

Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

ZIMBABWE national Under-21 women hockey team manager, Florence Mhasho, is confident they have prepared well for the HIF Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

The event is set to take place from December 5 to 16.

The team is scheduled to go into a bubble on Friday, in Harare, ahead of their departure on Monday.

“We are continuing with our training sessions, obviously, not as intense because we don’t want to risk any injury,” said Mhasho.

United States-based, Mufaro Mazambani, was expected in the country yesterday while South Africa-based, Lillian Pope, is scheduled to arrive today.

There are sixteen countries taking part in the competition and have been grouped into four Pools.

Zimbabwe are in Pool A, together with the Netherlands, Korea and Ireland.

Pool B consists of England, Belgium, Canada and Uruguay while Argentina, India, Japan and Russia are in Pool C.

Pool D is made up of Germany, Spain, United States and South Africa.

Zimbabwe’s first game is against Ireland on December 5.

They will then face Korea, the following day, and the Netherlands, on December 8.

Mhasho said although their preparations were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the fact that they have worked with most of the players, from the Under-16s, has been an advantage,’’ said Mhasho.

“We have been very fortunate in that the coach, and I, have worked with this team since they were Under-16s.

“So, it’s a team that has known each other from school.

“I think the fact that we have worked with them for such a long time was an advantage for us.

“They did miss out on training time, because of Covid-19 and, obviously, the restrictions that had been put in place by our government, which we had to adhere to.

“But, then, when we got back on, it was pretty much like we didn’t really miss much.’’

Mhasho said they were grateful to various stakeholders, who have come on board to assist with the team’s preparations, including the Sports and Recreation Commission, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, Chisipite Senior School, and various parents.