he African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifier began in earnest for the South African women when they thumped Zimbabwe 10-nil to take a healthy lead the top of Group A of the Olympic qualifier tournament, at the Tuks Hockey Astro in Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa, on Sunday 29 October, 2023.
“I don’t usually get to score so many, but I’m delighted with the opportunity to get on the scoresheet. Its extra sweet to score on the reverse stick,” said South Africa’s co-captain, Quanita Bobbs.
The tournament is the most convenient route for African champions South Africa to quality for the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
Although all teams were tested to varying degrees, the tournament favourites and top ranked sides found themselves with victories to their names in inclement conditions of the opening day, in Pretoria.
Quanita Bobbs netting a hat-trick to the good. Image: SA Hockey
The South African Women underlined their title credentials with a no-nonsense victory inspired by Bobbs’ hat-trick. The hosts provided threat after threat, playing with a little swagger in a massive 10-0 victory.
Bobbs was satisfied with the quality of the goals scored: “It was a wonderful team performance and a great way to start the tournament.”
Ghana made hard work of a victory against the spirited Namibians before securing the three points with a 2-1 victory, while Kenya emerged victorious by a far more comfortable 4-0 margin against Zambia.
Fixtures and Results at the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifiers
Sun 19 Oct: South Africa 10-0 Zimbabwe (Pool A)
Sun 19 Oct: Kenya 4-0 Zambia (Pool B)
Sun 19 Oct: Ghana 2-1 Namibia (Pool B)
Mon 30 Oct 8:00am Namibia vs Zambia (Pool A)
Mon 30 Oct 2:00pm Ghana vs Kenya (Pool B)
Mon 30 Oct 6:00pm Nigeria vs South Africa (Pool A)
Wed 1 Nov Oct 8:00am Nigeria vs Zimbabwe (Pool A)
Wed 1 Nov 10:00am Ghana vs Zambia (Pool B)
Wed 1 Nov 12:00pm Kenya vs Namibia (Pool B)
SA Women’s Team (and Caps) for the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 from Sunday, 29 October to Sunday 5 November, 2023 at the Pretoria University in Pretoria
Anelle van Deventer (42)
Erin Christie (93)
Onthatile Zulu (44)
Antonet Louw (14)
Jean-Leigh du Toit (28)
Paris-Gail Isaacs (0)
Aphiwe Dimba (0)
Kayla de Waal (10)
Quanita Bobbs (172
Bianca Wood (35)
Kayla Swarts (9)
Stephanie Botha (21
Celia Seerane (173)
Kristen Paton (68)
Taheera Augousti (16)
Edith Molikoe (22)
Ntsopa Mokoena (16)
Tarryn Lombard (80)
Photo Caption: African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifier began in earnest for the SA Women when they thumped Zimbabwe 10-nil to take a lead the top of Group A of the Olympic qualifier tournament at the Tuks Hockey Astro in Pretoria. Photo: ES MEDIA
Photo Caption: South Africa’s Onthatile Zulu earned her 45th cap for South Africa at the Qualifiers in Pretoria. Photo: ES MEDIA
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