The South African Women’s Indoor Hockey team fell at the last hurdle as they lost 4-2 to Namibia in the final of the inaugural Kathea Nkosi Cup at the Wynberg Military base on Tuesday, 19 December 2023.
To the rapturous applause of a vocal and sizeable Namibian supporter base, South Africa’s northern neighbours played a calm and composed match to overcome a concerted challenge from the home team.
The match got off to a flying start for the visitors as Marcia Venter ran up the right and passed the ball to Gillian Hermanus, who scored within 40 seconds of the match starting. Kiana Cormack, the scoring machine, doubled the lead for Namibia via a penalty corner. This put her team firmly on the front foot.
South Africa managed to overcome the initial shock of being behind two goals and started to exert their pressure.
Malikah Hamza got the hosts back in the game scoring from a penalty corner as the first interval came to a close. The second half saw a more tentative battle between the teams, but neither was able to score another goal.
When the match resumed, South Africa managed to level the score as Cailynn den Bakker found the back of the net after a superb counterattack. It looked like the momentum had swung in their favour.
However, Namibia was awarded a penalty and Cormack got her team back in the lead. She then completed her hat-trick, which also sealed the win for the Southern African Nation in the inaugural tournament in front of a capacity crowd.
Cormack was also the big winner on the night as she was voted as Player of the Tournament and also walked away as the top scorer with 12 goals, with the evening’s remaining accolades going to compatriots MVP of the Final, Gillian Hermanus, and Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Petro Stoffberg.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s captain Kayla de Waal earned her 50th cap for the team, and Edith Molikoe finished as the second-highest scorer with 5 goals.
Fixtures and Results at the Inaugural Kathea Energy Nkosi Cup, at the Wynberg Military Base Stadium in Cape Town, from Friday 15 to Tuesday 19 December, 2023:
Fri 15 Dec, 20h00: Ireland 4-5 South Africa (MVP – Cailynn den Bakker, South Africa)
Sat 16 Dec, 12h00: Namibia 5-3 Ireland (MVP – Kiana Cormack, Namibia)
Sat 16 Dec, 18h45: South Africa 3-1 Namibia (MVP – Gillian Hermanus, Namibia)
Sun 17 Dec, 18h30: Ireland 3-4 South Africa (MVP – Edith Molikoe, South Africa)
Mon 18 Dev, 11h00: Namibia 2-1 Ireland (MVP – Petra Stoffberg)
Mon 18 Dev, 18h45: South Africa 3-2 Namibia (MVP – Kayla de Waal)
Tue 19 Dec, 18h45: Final: South Africa 2-4 Namibia (MVP – Gillian Hermanus, Namibia)
Individual Awards
Kathea Energy MVP of the Final – Gillian Hermanus (Namibia)
Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Kiana Cormack (Namibia)
Player of the Tournament – Kiana Cormack (Namibia)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Petro Stoffberg (Namibia)
Final Standings of the Inaugural Kathea Energy Nkosi Cup
1. Namibia
2. South Africa
3. Ireland
South Africa
Daniela de Oliveira
Edit Molikoe
Cailynn den Bakker
Kayla de Waal
Tegan Fourie
Malikah Hamza
Jessica Lardant
Cherey Greyvenstein
Sarah Paget
Moabi Bonolo
Laylaa Davids
Coach: A.J Springbok
Manager: Tracey Flowers
Namibia
Petro Stoffberg
Jocelle Wessels
Azaylee Philander
Sunelle Ludwig
Kiana-Che Cormack
Marcia Venter
Jerrica Bartlett
Jamie Henchert
Gillian Hermanus
Amber Dercksen
Taramarie Myburgh
Coach: Shayne Cormack
Manager: Shaheed Abrahams
Photo Caption: The South African Women’s Indoor Hockey team fell at the last hurdle as they lost 4-2 to Namibia in Tuesday’s final of the Kathea Nkosi Cup, at the Wynberg Military base on Monday, 19 December 2023. All Photos: Nathier Suleiman / SA Hockey Association
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