South Africa one step closer to Junior World Cup qualification
South Africa continued their commanding run at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, with both the Men’s and Women’s teams securing important victories to remain unbeaten and firmly on course for World Cup qualification.
Men: South Africa 7–1 Zimbabwe
South Africa’s U21 Men delivered another clinical display, beating Zimbabwe 7–1 to register a third consecutive victory and edge closer to a spot at the FIH Junior World Cup in India.
From the opening minute, Jayden Brooker – who has been in electric form – opened the scoring. Zimbabwe proved more resilient than previous opponents, but Brooker was undeterred, completing a first-half hat-trick to take his tournament tally to eight goals.
In the second half, Brooker added two more, before Thabang Jeyi and Litha Kraai joined the scoresheet. Zimbabwe pulled one back late through Matipa Mawere, but the result was never in doubt.
South Africa now sit on 9 points from 3 matches, having scored 27 goals and conceded just 4. A win against Egypt on Tuesday morning will mathematically confirm qualification to the Junior World Cup.
Women: South Africa 4–0 Kenya
The South African U21 Women were tested for the first time in the tournament but came through with poise and purpose, defeating Kenya 4–0 to maintain their perfect start.
Paris-Gail Isaacs, a senior Olympian, gave South Africa the ideal start with a goal in the second minute. Paige Salis added a second just before the end of the first quarter. Kenya battled bravely and kept the South Africans at bay for two quarters, but in the final period, South Africa broke through again. Captain Caylin Maree made it 3–0, and Germarie Speershott sealed the result.
South Africa remain unbeaten, unbreached, and unrelenting – 27 goals scored, none conceded – and are in prime position heading into Tuesday’s clash against third-placed Zimbabwe.
Tuesday Fixtures – Qualification on the Line:
- 09:00 – Women: South Africa vs Zimbabwe
- 11:00 – Men: South Africa vs Egypt
Victories for both sides would guarantee South Africa’s ticket to the FIH Junior World Cup — the women to Chile, and the men to India.
by South Africa
