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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe’s men’s and women’s field hockey teams wrapped up their participation in the Central South Africa qualifier for the African Games in style when they won the finals yesterday at St John’s College in Harare.
Two teams per category qualified for the African Games and Zimbabwe’s teams went into yesterday’s finals having already booked their place at the continental Games as well as Namibia and Zambia.
Zimbabwe’s women’s team beat Namibia 1-0 and the men’s side defeated Zambia 3-2 in a tightly-contested match.
The tournament featured Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe in the men’s section while the women’s section saw Zimbabwe taking on Namibia and Malawi.
The matches were played in a round-robin format with the top two teams progressing to the finals.
First onto the turf was the Zimbabwe women’s team taking on Namibia in a match that appeared to be even in the early stages.
It was 0-0 going into half-time. However, Zimbabwe got their breakthrough in the 37th minute through Natasha Hess, scoring the only goal that saw them emerging winners to finish tops in this tournament.
It was an exciting moment for Hess who called it time on her playing career having represented Zimbabwe for the past 18 years.
Both Zimbabwe and Namibia beat Malawi to progress to yesterday’s final having drew 2-2 when they first met last Thursday.
Zimbabwe women’s team coach, Bhavik Chauhan, was pleased to see his side finishing on a high and qualifying for the African Games.
“The girls played really well. I think we stuck to our game-plan. We knew what we needed to do to beat Namibia, and we executed our game-plan to the best that we could, so it was a good result… My technical team was fantastic also.
“So the African Games is, after the Africa Cup of Nations for hockey, probably the second biggest African tournament. So it’s a massive achievement,” said Chauhan.
Zimbabwe’s Iman Johnson was voted player for the match.
“I wasn’t expecting it but I am so happy and excited.
“I was a bit nervous but I got to understand that it’s just a game, you win and you lose. You just have to play your best and give it all in the field,” said Johnson.
It was a thrilling encounter in the men’s final, which was closely contested as both teams gave their best.
Zimbabwe took the lead twice but on both occasions allowed Zambia to come back from behind and equalise.
The hosts were the first to score in the first minute through Tendayi Maredza before Zambia’s Phillimon Bwali equalised five minutes later.
Tafadzwa Mugore put Zimbabwe back into the lead in the 14th minute and they went into half time leading 2-1.
Zambia then found an equaliser in the third quarter through Alfred Mpande. The visitors created several chances in the second half as they piled pressure on Zimbabwe.
But Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper and captain Brad Heuer was up to the task making some crucial saves.
Tapiwa Mushayakarara scored the winning goal for Zimbabwe in the 59th minute after receiving a through pass from Tendayi Maredza.
Coach Niall Milner saluted his charges for the fighting spirit.
“Relieved man. There was a lot or pressure at half time. Obviously going ahead twice and then letting them back in the game put pressure on us. We needed this win today and the players did it for themselves.
“This is just a start for us. It’s been good to see where we can fit around in Africa and for our guys to compete and push as hard as they did today it shows that we have got the talent and we have got the potential to do a lot of good when it comes to hockey,” said Milner.
Captain Heuer, who was the player of the match, attributed their victory to teamwork
“it’s a team game… The guys did a lot of work, we did a lot of work.
“Obviously I didn’t win the game for us, the team won the game. And I am really proud of them.”
The Zimbabwe captain acknowledged the supporters for rallying behind the team.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter