Zimbabwe  Under-21 Women’s Field Hockey team began their first, Junior Africa Cup campaign in a positive position as they scoped three to nil against Egypt  in Ismailia, Egypt. 

“We are incredible proud of the girls because of their performances today, mainly because of the way the turned the last round yesterday. It was a tough for us  there was a lot happening of and on the field, internal and the girls managed to overcome the issues. 

“We controlled the game and the game plan was to work hard and put a lot of pressure to the Egyptians. 

“We are step closer to thd finals and for them to fight for junior world cup in chile with SA pressure got on them and we couldnt play our normal game. 

Made three mistakes which SA capitalized on them,” said Head Coach Brad Heuer

In the men’s team, Zimbabwe lost to their neighbours  by 6 points to nil. 

South Africa took the lead in the first quarter of the match. They were two to nothing by half time and finally sealed the deal during the third quarter.

Tomlyn Kock, Mikkela Le Roux and Ntsopa Mokoena were the scorers of South Africa.

“I think the girls lacked a lot of confidence during our first match of the campaign and South Africa punished us for that,” said Brad Heuer, Zimbabwe Women’s Coach.

“They improved in the last quarter of the game. The passion they had in the last quarter was incredible. They came harder and faster and looked like a much better team,” added the coach.

“We conceded all three goals from our mistakes. The mistakes were made because the girls were not composed enough and South Africa took advantage of that and took their chances,” said Heuer.

“We are now moving on, and we are going to solve all the problems we have in our first match and we need to make less errors in crucial areas,” added Brad Heuer.

In other match in the women’s section, the hosts Egypt beat Kenya two to nothing. South Africa are currently leading the standing on goal difference.

In their second last game that they played against Kenya, team Zimbabwe placed the last nail as they scored 7 nil in their favour. 

In 11 minutes of the game,Mzizi Khanyisile dounled the score after the  first goal from Sithole Kaylee who scored after three minutes. 

Sithole scored her second goal in the 20th minute of the match. 

While Tadiwanashe Changa who was introduced in the field in the second half of the game as she sealed their victory  with a hat trick. 

Coach Brad Heuer experessed his thoughts to the media and said the team showed their confindence and it was important for them to win as this was their ticket to the world Cup. 

Zimbabwe is only left to face off with South Africa,who are the undefeated. 

In men’s section, Zimbabwe suffered a massive defeat against South Africa in their first campaign of the tournament.

 Zimbabwe went down to their Southern African neighbors, South Africa by six goals to nothing 

Egypt beat Kenya by a goal to nothing a result that leave them lying second on the table behind South Africa. 

Zimbabwe men’s will take on Kenya in their second match while the ladies will go against Egypt.