Both South Africa men and Namibia women came into the tournament as defending champions, they leave it as champions again. Winning the titles against their African counterparts in the Nkosi Cup Finals.
Men’s Bronze Medal – Ireland (2) 5-5 (0) New Zealand
Well, that was a lot of fun. A thrilling end to end battle between the two tournament debutants was nothing short of entertaining from start to finish. It was a game that saw goals scored in every quarter and eventually a shootout to decide the winner.
It was Ireland who led at the half time break 3-1 thanks to a Ross Canning double and Greg Williams all executing penalty corners superbly. Maks Wyndham-Smith pulled one back for New Zealand.
Early in the second half the teams traded strikes with Ireland scoring through Oliver Kidd and a stroke for Benedict van Woerkom for New Zealand. Ross Canning converted his hat-trick to make it 5-2 before a triple from van Woerkom, the last right at the end sent the game to a shootout.
Canning and Williams scored in the shootout to wrap up a bronze medal for Ireland.
Women’s Final – Namibia 3-1 South Africa
The two teams continue writing an incredible rivalry and this next chapter was nothing short of sublime. It lacked the attacking brilliance of the men’s bronze medal game but the tactical battle was sublime.
Namibia took a first half lead through Jivanka Kruger and it was a 1-0 lead at the half time break with Namibia frustrating South Africa through their defensive patterns and offering threat on the counter attack.
South Africa were growing in momentum in the third quarter but it was Kiana Cormack who would score from a penalty corner to double the lead. The South Africans did find a goal back and the crowd was pumped. South Africa pulled their keeper in a search for the equalizer and had a golden opportunity but fired wide. Jivanka Kruger, player of the match, would get a late counter attacking goal to win 3-1 and defend their Nkosi Cup crown.
Men’s Final – Namibia 2-3 South Africa
South Africa were led out by their most capped player of all time, Justin Domleo, as this is his last game on South African soil before hanging up his stick after the World Cup in Croatia.
The South Africans had the best chances in the first quarter but the discipline from the Namibians in defense was nothing short of outstanding. The hosts were unable to convert their chances from penalty corners and they were made to pay when JP Britz fired home a rocket of a penalty corner. South Africa continued to create but were just not clicking into gear against their African counterparts. 1-0 at the half time break.
Early in the second half, South Africa produced a sensational counter with the Cassiem brothers combining but it was a case of inches on the wrong side of the net. It was Mustapha Cassiem, of course, who scored his 99th international goal to level matters. He would make it a lead and become the first SA Men’s player to reach a century of goals.
Fagan Hansen restored parity with a deflection off Domleo that left Cullin De Jager unsighted. The final quarter awaited with the scores level.
The final quarter saw chances at a premium and needed a high-quality finish from either side to find the goal but it was Mustapha Cassiem who showed why he is one of the best in the world creating and finishing sensationally for his 17th career hat-trick.
That would be that and the South Africans would seal the Nkosi Cup title for a second consecutive season.
Individual Awards:
Men’s Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Richter van Rooyen (New Zealand)
Women’s Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Petro Stoffberg (Namibia)
Men’s Player of the Tournament – Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa)
Women’s Player of the Tournament – Kiana Cormack (Namibia)
by South Africa
