Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE is gearing up for the 2026 World Masters Hockey World Cup set to run from July 22 to August 16 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and in Belgium with an 18-member men’s Over-40 squad ready to represent the nation on one of the sport’s biggest global stages.
Carrying the nation’s hopes is a squad which is expected to fly out today and it blends experience, leadership and an unwavering passion for hockey. Gareth Hook has been appointed captain as Zimbabwe prepares to test itself against some of the world’s finest masters teams.
Coach Tapiwa Mafi will lead a balanced side that has been carefully assembled across all departments, banking on a combination of proven campaigners and seasoned competitors to challenge on the international stage.
The forward line features Mark Ferrao, Paul Williams, Ryan Hooper and Yatish Bhagat, while the midfield engine room comprises Eksteen Fourie, Keith Kachambwa, Jason Flynn, Matthew Morgan, Ian Taylor, Fungai Mavengere and Ian Brooke.
In defence, Zimbabwe will rely on Pritchard Matambo, Mandla Mataure, Kevin Liddle, Damon Buss and captain Gareth Hook to provide stability, with Enoch Zhou and Nathan Hook entrusted with goalkeeping duties.
The selection reflects months of preparation and assessment, with the technical team placing emphasis on fitness, tactical discipline and the ability to compete at the demanding pace of international masters hockey.
Although the tournament is contested by players aged over 40, the standard remains exceptionally high, attracting former internationals and elite club players from across the globe.
Beyond the team sheet, the squad represents decades of commitment to Zimbabwean hockey.
Many of the players have continued to contribute to the sport as competitors, mentors and administrators long after their peak playing years, making their selection a fitting reward for sustained dedication and love for the game.
Mafi pointed to the wider importance of masters sports, emphasising how it raises all-time partaking and athletic prolonged existence, even if scheduling conflicts momentarily kept the women’s sides at home this year.
“The first thing is that you can still play sport in your 40s, 50s, all the way up to your 60s. So there’s longevity in the sport of hockey. But it also says that there’s people that are willing to be involved in the sport forever from an administrative point of view,” Mafi said.
The World Masters Hockey World Cup also presents Zimbabwe with another opportunity to underline its rich hockey heritage on the global stage. It is a chance not only to compete for honours but also to inspire younger generations by demonstrating that passion, discipline and excellence can endure well beyond an athlete’s prime years.
Backed by sponsors The Smokehouse, MackAir, InnBucks, Direct Source International and Viva, the Zimbabwe Masters team will travel to Rotterdam carrying not only sticks and kit bags but also the pride and expectations of a nation eager to see its colours represented with distinction.
With the opening matches just days away, Zimbabwe’s Masters are determined to embrace the challenge and prove they can still compete with the very best the world has to offer during the 11-day global showpiece in Rotterdam.
Zim Over 40s fixtures
July 23 (14:30 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand
July 25 (18:10 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. South Africa ‘B’
July 26 (14:30 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. England
July 28 (12:40 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. Ireland.
Colletta Dube