South African Hockey Teams Sweep Double At Africa Cup of Nations 2021

South African Hockey Teams Sweep Double At Africa Cup of Nations

On Sunday, South Africa’s men’s and women’s hockey teams won the African Cup of Nations in both categories in Accra, Ghana.
South Africa’s ladies defeated Ghana 3-1 in the final to qualify for the World Cup, which will be held jointly by Spain and the Netherlands in late this year, July. South African Hockey Teams sweep double at Africa Cup of Nations in Accra.

Since 1994, the African Nations Cup has been won by the women’s team.
The dominant side scored 23 goals in the competition and surrendered a goal in the final for the first time when Elizabeth Opoku scored a sixth-minute penalty to grab a surprising early lead. The South Africans, on the other hand, mounted a fantastic comeback to win convincingly 3-1.
Tarryn Glasby, a South African forward, was the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals.

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“It is nice to get a win in Ghana,” said Glasby afterwards. “As a striker, you are supposed to score goals, so I am happy to be the top scorer.

“Looking forward to the World Cup, it is all about trusting our processes.”

Nkuliso ‘Inky’ Zondi, coach of the SA women’s team, was thrilled that South Africa had clinched a World Cup berth.

“I am really excited and happy with the game,” said Zondi. It was a tough game, so thank you to Ghana.

“We have enjoyed our week here. We are a team that has changed, so we have to learn from what has happened this week and represent Africa well at the World Cup.”

South Africa finished seventh in the 1998 Women’s FIH Hockey World Cup, the best finish by an African team.
The Women’s World Cup will be held for the 15th time this year.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s men’s squad finished their Afcon campaign with a triumph over African powerhouse Egypt in the final at the Theodosia Okoh Stadium in Accra.

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South Africa won the penalty shoot-out 3-1 after the score was 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
South Africa has now won eight consecutive men’s tournaments. SA now has a World Cup berth at the FIH’s blue riband event in India next year, thanks to the triumph.

South Africa’s penalty corner specialist Matthew Guise-Brown was the top goalscorer at the week-long tournament with six goals.

The drama-filled final took its toll on the SA coach Gareth Ewing.

“I’m shattered, that was too close for comfort,” said a relieved Ewing. “Ghana is such a great host, there was such a great atmosphere in the stadium, it was great to win.

“Based on tonight’s performance, we have a lot to do before the World Cup.”

Tim Drummond, the SA captain was the happiest man in Ghana. “We are ecstatic. That was tough but we are missing some players so that shows that we have depth in the squad,” said Drummond.

“There is a long way to go before the World Cup, but we hope to make a lot of improvement and finish in the top ten.”

Final placing at the Africa Cup of Nations