Africa

By Chris Bvunzawabaya

THE “Hockey Association of Zimbabwe has lined up international friendly matches against South Africa as they seek to turn around the fortunes of the sport that has been sliding towards the doldrums, StandardSport has learnt.

The Zimbabwe Under-16 and U-18 boys and girls teams will travel to Pretoria for a training camp and three Test series matches against their counterparts from August 9-14.


The teams comprising players from schools in Mashonaland, Matabeleland, Midlands and Mashonaland County Districts were selected last month during trials, which were held in Harare and Bulawayo.

HAZ treasurer Tawanda Taruvinga confirmed to StandardSport the high level of competition will help the juniors get much-needed international exposure.

‘’Most of the juniors in schools play top-class hockey in the main leagues and form the backbone of the game in the near future, and chances are high some will make the Under-21 team that will participate at the U-21 World Cup qualifiers set for Egypt in September.’’

Taruvinga said the international tours are also designed to foster good relations between the two countries as they are among the top hockey nations in Africa.

Meanwhile, action resumes in the HAZ National League with eight matches lined up at Magamba Hockey Stadium today.

Men’s titleholders BAC face Alex while Eradicators square-up against Hippo Valley. Old Hararians meet Hippo Valley as Queens lock horns with Eradicators.

Debutants Midlands will be up against OH whose women’s team engages Eradicators. In the other ladies matches lined up today, OH A face BAC while Queens engage Eradicators A.

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