EGYPT: The 1st African Hockey5s World Cup Qualifiers 2022 came to an end today in Ismailia, Egypt as Namibia won the gold medal, and along with Zambia and South Africa, qualified for the inaugural FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 in the women’s competition, while Egypt took gold in the men’s competition and were joined by Nigeria and Kenya in qualifying for the World Cup.

Africa Hockey5s World Cup Qualifier 2022 Women

In the pool stage of the women’s competition Zambia and Namibia finished in the first two positions, each registering 3 wins and a loss in their 4 matches. South Africa finished third in the pool with 6 points from 2 wins and 2 losses. Egypt finished in the fourth spot, ahead of Kenya on goal difference, with both teams getting a singular win for 3 points.

At the end of the pool stage, the top two teams, Zambia and Namibia, qualified for the gold medal match and were assured of a spot in the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024, while South Africa and Egypt would play for the bronze medal with the winner also securing the final spot from Africa for the upcoming inaugural Hockey5s World Cup.

In the medal matches played, South Africa put in an offensive showcase, scoring 7 unanswered goals against Egypt to secure the bronze medal and World Cup qualification. Sylvia van Jaarsveldt was the standout player for South Africa, scoring a hat-trick in the bronze medal match.

In the gold medal match Zambia and Namibia met in a closely-contested encounter. Namibia scored the only goal of the first half through a smashing hit scored by Jivanka Kruger. Namibia then doubled their lead in the second half as a loose ball fell to Kaela Schimming who got her angles right to put the ball beyond the keeper. Zambia managed to get a goal back with 3 minutes left on the clock, but the Namibian defense did not get breached a second time and as the clock ran out, Namibia became the champions of the 1st African Hockey5s World Cup Qualifiers.

Africa Hockey5s World Cup Qualifier 2022 Men

In the pool stage of the men’s competition Egypt were the standout team, winning all 4 matches, accruing a healthy goal difference of 15! Nigeria finished in the second position with 2 wins, a draw and a solitary loss which came against Egypt. Zambia and Kenya finished third and fourth respectively, with South Africa finishing in the last position after collecting just 1 point from a draw against Zambia.

At the end of the pool stage Egypt and Nigeria qualified for the gold medal match and were assured of a spot in the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024, while Zambia and Kenya would play for the bronze medal with the winner also securing the final spot from Africa for the upcoming inaugural Hockey5s World Cup.

In the medal matches played today, Kenya outclassed Zambia, winning the contest by a comfortable scoreline of 5-2, to win the bronze medal and grab the final spot available for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024. Bethuel Musambu was immense for Kenya scoring their second and third goal, to put the game well and truly beyond Zambia’s reach.

In the medal matches played, South Africa put in an offensive showcase, scoring 7 unanswered goals against Egypt to secure the bronze medal and World Cup qualification. Sylvia van Jaarsveldt was the standout player for South Africa, scoring a hat-trick in the bronze medal match.

In the gold medal match, Egypt entered as heavy favorites, having previously defeated Nigeria in their pool match, by a scoreline of 8-6! Egypt blew away the Nigerian defense once again in the finals, scoring 5 unanswered goals in the first half. Nigeria had a mountain to climb if they wanted to make a comeback in the game, but they started off well, scoring in the first minute of the second half, reducing the deficit to 4. The Egyptian team were in an unrelenting mood though, and scored within a minute of conceding, restoring their 5-goal lead. The teams exchanged one more goal apiece in the 18th minute, before Egypt tacked on 2 more goals in the final minute to register a comfortable 9-2 win to secure the gold medal. Egypt captain Amr Syed was the standout player in the finals scoring a hat-trick, while Mostafa Ragab and Hossam Ghobran scored two goals apiece.

FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024

The FIH Hockey5s World Cup Oman 2024 is a 16-team tournament that will be the first ever World Cup played in the Hockey5s format. Apart from the hosts Oman, there will be 3 teams each from Africa, Asia, Europe, Pan America and Oceania. Netherlands, Belgium and Poland have already qualified for the men’s Hockey5s World Cup, from Europe and will be joined by Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya from Africa. Zambia, Namibia and South Africa are the first teams to qualify for the Women’s World Cup. The FIH Hockey5s World Cup will be held in Muscat, Oman in January 2024.