Namibia and South Africa evenly matched in Windhoek
Namibia’s senior women’s indoor hockey team and South Africa finished level in the Windhoek Indoor Hockey Test Series after playing to a 4-4 draw in the fifth and final test at the Sport Facilitation Centre at the Windhoek Showgrounds on Sunday.
The five-match series, held from 9 to 11 October, ended with both teams recording two victories each and the final match drawn. Namibia won the opening two tests before South Africa fought back to win the third and fourth encounters.
Namibia made a strong start on Friday, recording a convincing 3-0 victory. Leila Grögl scored twice, while Amber Dercksen added the third goal to give the hosts an early advantage.
The hosts continued their winning form in the second test on Saturday, edging South Africa 4-3 in a closely contested encounter. Azaylee Philander, Sunelle Pretorius, Jivanka Kruger and Abigail Rowles scored for Namibia, while Elizabeth Porter, Edith Molikoe and Tegan Fourie found the net for South Africa.
The match was particularly memorable for Philander, who earned her 50th indoor international cap for Namibia during the series.
South Africa responded in the third test, with Cerian Fourie and Anja Tromp scoring to secure victory. Rowles scored Namibia’s only goal in the match.
The visitors continued their comeback in the fourth test, winning 2-1. Molikoe converted a penalty corner before Tegan Fourie added a second goal for South Africa. Gillian Hermanus scored for Namibia, but the hosts could not prevent another defeat.
With the series level at two wins apiece, Sunday’s final test provided both teams with an opportunity to finish the contest on a high.
The decisive encounter lived up to expectations, with both sides producing an entertaining 4-4 draw.
Philander opened the scoring for Namibia with a field goal in the third minute, but Tegan Fourie equalised for South Africa through a penalty corner in the eighth minute.
Namibia regained the lead in the 15th minute when Ottilie Hinda scored a field goal. Fourie converted a penalty stroke in the 25th minute to level the scores before Cerian Fourie put South Africa ahead with a penalty corner in the 28th minute.
Philander responded a minute later with a penalty corner to restore parity. Jivanka Kruger then scored a field goal in the 33rd minute to put Namibia ahead, but Tegan Fourie completed her hat-trick with a penalty corner in the 39th minute to secure the 4-4 draw.
Namibia Hockey Union vice-president Tunomwaameni Epafras clarified that goal difference was not an official deciding factor in the series.
“Goal difference wasn't a set decider, but if in a league-style format, goals determine a winner, yes,” Epafras said.
Spar South Africa captain Jamie Southgate said the outcome reflected the quality of indoor hockey on the continent.
“Drawing the series with Namibia, we felt, was a true reflection of the quality of indoor hockey in Africa,” Southgate said.
Namibia captain Pretorius said the series gave both teams an opportunity to assess one another ahead of their next meeting.
“I think both teams had a good feel-out for each other, having a chance to analyse each other before we meet again in December,” Pretorius said.
Namibia look ahead to Nkosi Cup
Epafras said the Namibia Hockey Union was proud of the team’s performance and believed the players were well positioned for the upcoming Nkosi Cup in Cape Town in December.
“We are proud of the girls; they had a good performance in these series. Definitely ready; however, the preparations will continue, and they will work on the small areas they might have noticed this weekend,” he said.
He added that the test series carried international ranking implications, as the matches were sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
“The FIH Ranking system is match-based, and the tournament was FIH-sanctioned, so yes, the wins, draws and losses will assist in the ranking of Namibia in the world,” Epafras said.
Both teams will now turn their attention to the Nkosi Cup in Cape Town in December as they continue preparing for their upcoming international commitments.
