The Spar South Africa Indoor Hockey Women’s team clinched their place at the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia with a resounding 14-0 victory over Zimbabwe on the final day of pool action at the Indoor Hockey Africa Cup in Swakopmund, Namibia, on Saturday, 25 May, 2024.
Knowing a draw would suffice for qualification, the South African team left no room for doubt with a stunning display of skill and dominance.
Malikah Hamza set the tone by scoring within the first 120 seconds. Cerian Fourie followed with a successful penalty corner, and Tegan Fourie capitalized on a sweeping counterattack, ending the first quarter with a 3-0 lead.
Zimbabwean captain Sarah Evans made a brilliant goal-line clearance, but South Africa soon struck again with Jess Lardant’s powerful flick from a penalty corner.
By halftime, South Africa extended their lead to 6-0, with further goals from Laylaa Davids, Malikah Hamza, and Tegan Fourie, who netted her 69th international goal.
The team maintained their momentum in the second half, with Lardant scoring again and Cailynn den Bakker adding to the tally with a superb individual run.
As the match progressed, Malikah Hamza completed her hat-trick, and the final quarter saw some of South Africa’s best play. Cailynn den Bakker, Malikah Hamza, and Tegan Fourie all found the net, with Fourie assisting her sister for a top-corner finish.
Lardant capped the game with her hat-trick, equalling South Africa’s best-ever result against Zimbabwe.
This emphatic victory not only secured South Africa’s top spot in the pool stage on goal difference but also guaranteed their place in the final and their qualification for the 2025 Indoor World Cup.
Fixtures and Results of the Indoor Africa Cup 2024 in Swakopmund, Namibia
23 May – South Africa 5-0 Botswana (Forfeit)
23 May – Namibia 12-0 Zimbabwe
24 May – Botswana 0-5 Zimbabwe (Forfeit)
24 May – Namibia 1-1 South Africa
25 May – South Africa 14-0 Zimbabwe
25 May – Botswana 0-5 Namibia (Forfeit)
26 May (12:30) Bronze Medal Match – Zimbabwe v Botswana
26 May (15:30) Gold Medal Match – South Africa v Namibia
The Spar South Africa Team for the African Hockey Indoor Cup of Nations (Caps as at Tournament Commencement)
Caylin Den Bakker (11)
Kayla De Waal (50)
Cheree Greyvenstein (70)
Laikén Brisset (23)
Daniella Mendes De Oliveira (37)
Laylaa Davids (5)
Edith Molikoe (69)
Malikah Hamza (17)
Jamie Southgate (92)
Sarah Paget (12)
Jessica Lardant (63)
Tegan Fourie (68)
Original Copy: Hockey SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Spar South Africa Indoor Hockey Women’s team clinched their place at the 2025 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia with a resounding 14-0 victory over Zimbabwe on the final day of pool action at the Indoor Hockey Africa Cup in Swakopmund, Namibia, on Saturday, 25 May, 2024. All Photos: SA Hockey Association / Zach Zinn for ES Media
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