Zim Hockey teams happy with recent performances

Sport
Zimbabwe’s representatives at the just-ended Africa Cup of Club Champions hockey tournament in Bulawayo have expressed satisfaction with their teams’ performance.

Zimbabwe’s representatives at the just-ended Africa Cup of Club Champions hockey tournament in Bulawayo have expressed satisfaction with their teams’ performance.

REPORT BY RANGANAI DZOTIZEI

The teams had a decent outing, but failed to fight for honours against much fancied opposition.

Men’s teams Hippo Valley and debutantes Hullets finished fourth and last respectively while ladies team Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC) ended fifth.

Hippo Valley and Hullets Hockey Club coach Tongai Mukwewa was delighted at the level of competition displayed by his lads.

“The performance was commendable considering our preparations. We managed to compete against top teams and we were not far off and so we are happy about the outcome,” he said.

Mukweva contends that Hippo was an improved lot from last year and attributed lack of acclimatisation to the astro turf as their greatest undoing.

“This year, we built from last year’s tournament in Zambia and it was a much better display. It is always difficult to adjust to the astro turf which we are not used to as we play on grass in Chiredzi and that could have had an effect on our play,” Chikweva said.

Khumalo Hockey Stadium has an astro turf which the two Chiredzi-based sides are not used to.

Bulawayo Athletic Club player coach Nicky Watson was equally happy with her team’s fifth place finish, choosing to draw the positives from a gruelling group that comprised champions Telkom Ladies of Kenya.

“The young team did extremely well and for most of them it was their first time, so it was good for their exposure and hopefully next year we can fare better,” she said.

She conceded that it took time for her charges to adapt to the play but was happy the players now know what is expected of them.

BAC at times fell short tactically and physically to other sides and Watson said the team would work on improving fitness.

“We hope to get to play more club sides and obviously defend our title next year. Some of our players are leaving and we will be out to beef the squad for the season,” Watson added.

Record African champions Sharkia retained their crown after beating Trustees 4-1 in the final in the men’s section while Telkom Ladies stunned favourites Custom Ladies 4-2 in the penalty shootout to claim the women’s honours.

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