ZIMBABWE is set to host the regional qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) for both men’s and women’s hockey at St John’s College in Harare, starting tomorrow.
The tournament will feature teams from South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, Eswatini, and host nation Zimbabwe, all vying for coveted spots in next year’s ACN.
In the men’s competition, only two slots are available, while three teams in the women’s category will qualify for the continental championship.
“There will be four countries taking part, namely Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe — that is four ladies’ teams and four men’s teams,” Local Organising Committee (LOC) liaison officer Cliff Kaseke said.
“The top two sides will qualify for the men section and the top three ladies side will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
“The preparations have gone smoothly. However, considering what has been going on at the moment, sponsors have not been easy to come by but the Local Organising Committee has been doing the best it can to try and make things work and pull things together in order for us as a country to host a successful tournament.
“The teams have been preparing well and we are looking to see how they will fare in the tournament. By qualifying for the Africa CUP of Nations, Zimbabwe will be competing and trying to become one of the top countries in the competition.
“Also if we perform well, we will improve our team’s international ranking, which would lead to more opportunities and recognition in the sport.”
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He added: “This tournament is a crucial platform for our teams to gain exposure and experience against top African sides, which will enhance our skills and strategies. We hope the public will come out in large numbers to support our hockey teams”.
The Zimbabwe men’s team will be aiming to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the last edition in Ghana two years ago.
Meanwhile, the women’s team is seeking to settle unfinished business at the continental showpiece, having finished fourth in 2022.
All the action from the qualifiers will be broadcast live on the African Hockey Federation’s YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s junior hockey teams excelled at the three-nation Zimbabwe Junior Hockey Series held at the same venue last week.
The four-day event featured junior teams from Zambia and Namibia, with Zimbabwe dominating the competition.
Zimbabwe clinched several trophies, including the Victoria Falls Bushcamps Under-18 girls’ trophy, the Forever African Safaris Under-18 boys’ trophy, the Mariller Properties Under-16 boys’ trophy, the Mack Air Under-13 girls’ trophy, and the Fothergill Under-13 boys’ trophy. Namibia won the Packer Services Travel and Tours Under-16 girls’ trophy.
Individual accolades were also awarded, with Emma Reily named senior girls’ player of the tournament, Thando Ndlovu winning senior girls’ goalkeeper of the tournament, and Hilton Lima recognised as senior boys’ player of the tournament.
Tochukwu Nnam took home the senior boys’ goalkeeper award, while Bella McIntyre and Lamar Bure were named junior girls’ and junior boys’ players of the tournament, respectively.
