South Africa’s senior Hockey team continue their impressive form at the African Hockey Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, after an emphatic 9-0 victory over Zimbabwe in Kenya on Wednesday.
“We’re very pleased, we’re slowly building up our goal tally one game at a time, and three out of three is what we were looking for. We did have one or two shots against us today, and Sanani Mangisa got her first full cap today, so I thought she did well for us.”
But coach Jenny King is concerned about a lack of commitment by her team, in view of the sterner test in the upcoming four-nations tournament Olympic trial tournament in Beijing from August 6 to 13.
“We only had three (goals) in the first half, and then six in the second half. Organisational play was far superior in the second half,” said King. “I just think mentally the girls are not tuning in, as they would if they were playing against top internationals.
“(This) is concerning for me,” continued King, “Because we go out to play Australia, China and Argentina in two-and-a-half weeks time, and we can’t afford to be in these bad habits.”
But it’s not all doom and gloom for the coach, who was quick to point to sterling efforts by many in her squad.
“I think we’re pretty happy. I think Shelley Russell is by far one of our most improved players, and Tarryn Bright has been playing superbly. (Kate Hector) really just had a good year for us, it’s not just a one-off good tournament for her now, and it’s good to see somebody reaping the rewards of her training.
“Cindy Brown has really got herself a good positioning there on the sweeper, doing a really good job for her. Another youngster, Lisa Deetlifs, is starting to show that there is reason to feel concern in some of the senior players, because these players are getting better and better.
Its quite a comforting thing for me that there is a lot of pressure on the players now,” continued King, “Because the youngsters are starting to outplay the more senior capped players.”
Despite their poor run of form in the tournament, King rates Ghana as the best team outside of South Africa, but believes that even Kenya in the final should not pose too much of a concern for her team.
“I think Ghana played the most constructive hockey at the tournament, they just haven’t been able to score themselves a win. They definitely are the more structured team that are here.
“I think we’ll come up against Kenya again, ‘cause Namibia, against all odds, should never have lost today, after having a really good run in the tournament. So, I think Kenya will be the team we will come up against.”
Results:
Sat 14: South Africa 7-0 Namibia
Goal Scorers: Shelley Russell (2), Kathleen Taylor (3) and Henna du Buisson (2)
Sun 15: South Africa 8-0 Nigeria
Goal Scorers: Sharne Bailey (2), Henna du Buisson (2), Jennifer Wilson (3), and Tarryn Bright
Tue 17: South Africa 9 – 0 Zimbabwe
Goal Scorers: Kate Hector (5), Cindy Brown (2), Tarryn Bright and Marsha Marescia
Match Schedule:
Saturday 14th July: South Africa 7-0 Namibia
Sunday 15th July: South Africa 8-0 Nigeria
Tuesday 17th July: South Africa 9-0 Zimbabwe
Wednesday 18th July: South Africa vs. Ghana
Friday 20th July: South Africa vs. Kenya
Saturday 21st July: Classification Match – 5th vs. 6th
Sunday 22nd July: Classification Match – 3rd vs. 4th
Sunday 22nd July: Classification Match – 1st vs. 2nd
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