dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE senior men hockey team coach Tongai Mukwewa has expressed satisfaction with the groundwork covered ahead of their participation at the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 (Men/Women) qualifiers in South Africa.
Zimbabwe are fielding both men and women teams at the event that is due to take place from this coming Sunday to November 5 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The top teams in each category qualify for Paris 2024 Olympic Games due to take place from July 26 to August 11.
In the men’s section the second placed team will have another chance to try and qualify at the Olympic round two qualifiers next year.
The men’s side has been holding training sessions at Khumalo Hockey stadium in Bulawayo since last Friday.
“So in terms of training wise we are actually in camp now and we have been in camp since Fri-day until end of day tomorrow (today).
“And I think the preparations are going very well. The whole team has assembled. We had a couple of people who were sort of writing exams etcetera but now everyone is in and the preparations are coming up very well. We are looking very healthy.
“Also quite grateful for SRC (Sports Commission), for making available the astro turf for us to prepare on, because that’s always key, a sticking point. So SRC made available Khumalo Hockey stadium for us to be able to train on.
“So since we started camp we are just trying to make sure that the team comes together because when you have players from many clubs, they come with different philosophy and some of them are new to the team. So it was to create a team spirit, a bonding with the team.
“Also understanding our team philosophy as team Zimbabwe, how we are going to be playing, the tactics that are going to be employed in each of our various matches that we are going to be playing.
“So in terms of that, I think that has gone extremely well, the team has been well-bonded and now understanding the way that we want to be playing.
“From a tactical side everybody is now on point. We are now there, we have prepared, we have got our tactics that we are going to be using and I think those are correct,” said Mukwewa.
The teams are expected to leave for South Africa on Friday.
Zimbabwe are up against South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda in Pool A in the men’s section.
In the women’s category they will face South Africa and Nigeria.
Both teams will open their account against South Africa on Sunday.
The men’s team conclude their training today in Bulawayo and will travel to Harare tomorrow ahead of their departure to South Africa on Friday.
Mukwewa said they have engaged Egypt for a friendly game on Saturday, a day before the tournament begins.
“In terms of our final match preparation, the tournament starts on Sunday and on Saturday we play a warm up friendly against Egypt. So we have gone for sort of the big teams to prepare against because it gives us sort of the level that we want to be playing at.
Teams
Men: Evans Chikwani, Amos Chomunorwa, Alec Chomunorwa, Gift Chomunorwa (vice-captain), Tinokudzaishe Elijah, Tadiwa Kamusewu, Mutsawashe Kanyangarara, Tatenda Kanyangarara, Phinias Makarara, Eliah Mangere (GK), Pritchard Matambo (captain), Fleming Mazuwa (GK), Asme Mpofu, Arnold Mpofu, Constantine Muchono, Esau Mufandaedza, Tafadzwa Mugore, Onward Shumba.
Non-travelling Reserves: Brad Heuer, Forbes Motsi, Norman Muchacha, Lucky Sikisa.
Women: Mercedes Beekes, Briony Bray, Kelly Diplock, Roxy Frazer-Mackenzie, Nicolle Grant (captain), Simone Herbst, Iman Johnson, Tatenda Maswera, Jenna Mathieson (GK), Nakai Mujaranji, Tanatswa Mutarumuswa (GK), Farirai Nengare, Natalie Terblanche, Alexi Terblanche (vice-captain), Taya Trivella, Michelle Williams, Rumbidzaiishe Zimuto, Rumbi Zimuto (vice-captain).
Non-travelling Reserves: Tsungai Chadzinya, Chiyedza Chiseya, Bethel Chiwondzo, Briangh Clark, Athina Mujiba, Kel-cy Ndoro, Kaylee Sithole, Reinette Van Heerden.
Pools
Men
Pool A: South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda.
Pool B: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia.
Women
Pool A: South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe.
Pool B: Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia.
Online Reporter