South Africa’s men and women’s hockey teams won easily on Sunday on day two of the African Cup of Nations hockey tournament at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria.
The women crushed Namibia 9-0, with Western Province’s Kate Hector scoring a fine hat-trick.
Other goals came from Dalean de Kock, Henna du Buisson, Taryn Bright (two), Lindsey Carlisle and Candice Forword as the defending champions flexed their muscles.
”I was pleased with the way in which we controlled the game,” said South African coach Jenny King. ”It’s not always easy when the opposition have 11 players behind the ball, but we showed impressive patience.”
The men, meanwhile, beat Ghana 4-0 following on from Saturday’s 5-0 defeat of Nigeria to top their pool. Goals came from Steve Phillips, Ian Symons and Lungile Tsolekile to give the men a 3-0 lead at the break, before Darren Gallagher’s 55th-minute goal sealed the win.
In other matches played on Sunday, Egypt’s men thumped Namibia 7-2 — they beat Ghana 4-2 on Saturday — to set up an intriguing clash with the hosts on Tuesday. South Africa and Egypt are expected to contest Saturday’s final that will see the winner book a place in the World Cup to be held in Germany in 2006.
In the women’s tournament, Ghana and Nigeria drew 1-1 in the day’s other match. Monday is a rest day for all teams. — Sapa