African Hockey Indoor Test Series concludes in Windhoek

As the African Hockey Indoor Test Series came to its conclusion in Windhoek, South Africa ended it on a high with victories in both the men’s and women’s series. Thank you to Namibian Hockey for the series! See you soon!

Women’s Fifth Test: Namibia 0-1 South Africa

The South Africans had been frustrated with the inability to take home a victory in a tight series that has been very evenly matched.

This match was no different as both teams battled an even game with four penalty corners a piece and both keepers making several saves that were of a high standard as the best of African Indoor Hockey displayed determination and grit in front of a large crowd.

In the second quarter South Africa turned the screw and won three penalty corners. And the pressure told as they converted through Kayla de Waal. They almost added before the half time break, but it remained 1-0 at the end of the first half.

Both teams had chances but remarkably there was no more goal and the South Africans held on for an uplifting 1-0 win. They unfortunately went down in the series 2-1.

Men’s Fifth Test: Namibia 3-6 South Africa

The South Africans couldn’t lose the series as they led 2-1 but were looking to seal the series in the final test 

Their challenge looked on track three minutes into the game when Jethro Eustice reacted first after a DJ Strauss save to finish past the Namibian captain. They continued to up the ante as they found a second through Dayaan Cassiem and a third through Dalpiarro Langford all in the opening quarter. The Langford goal came just after superb save from Cameron Goodwin from a stroke to deny the Namibians.

In the second quarter the exciting JP Britz pulled one goal back for the Namibians before Dayaan Cassiem extended the lead back to three goals just before the half-time break.

Early in the second half Langford got his second as South Africa stretched the lead into the distance. Namibia had the only penalty corner of the quarter, but they were unable to score, and South Africa led by four with 10 minutes remaining in the test series.

Namibia found a goal from a penalty stroke but almost immediately South Africa reopened the deficit to four goals as Mustapha Cassiem netted his 45th International goal for South Africa. A late consolation goal for Brynn Cleak wasn’t enough to deny the South Africans a deserved 6-3 win and a 3-1 series win.