ZIMBABWE Hockey Association (HAZ) vice-president Humphrey Chigwedere has said that the country’s hockey teams still need to grasp the basics of the sport in order for them to offer any challenge when participating in regional competitions. Report by Vitalis Moyo
He said this following a feeble performance by Zimbabwean clubs at the just ended Africa Cup of Clubs Championships at Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo.
“It was evident during the tournament that our home teams lacked simple basic skills when one looked at how they controlled the ball and passed it around. That was the major setback to our performance,” Chigwedere said.
Zimbabwe were represented by Hippo Hockey Club — who finished the tournament ranked fourth — and Hullets who were at the bottom with no win from the whole tournament in the men’s category, while Bulawayo athletic Club (BAC) hockey club represented the country in the women’s pool finish fifth.
“The tournament generally ran smoothly as everything went according to plan although there were a few hiccups here and there. I would like to applaud the local organisers for a job well done and the crowd for turning up in their large numbers especially during the final despite not having a home team participating in the final.” said Chigwedere
Sharkia Hockey Club of Egypt successfully defended their title after they were crowned winners of the in the men’s final while Telkom Ladies of Kenya finished on top in the women’s final played on Saturday.
The Egyptians maintained a 100% unbeaten run as they hammered Ghanaian side Trustees 4-1 in the men’s final while in the women’s competition, Telkom Ladies stunned tournament favourites Custom Ladies of Ghana 4-2 in the shoot-out after the game had ended in a deadlock.
