South Africa: South Africa Crowned Champions of Africa Once Again

The South African U21 Women’s team have completed a golden campaign at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, ending the tournament unbeaten with a 5-nil win in the final against hosts Namibia to be crowned the Junior African Champions, at the Davin Trustco Hockey Stadium in Namibia on Saturday, 25 April, 2025.

Having already secured qualification to the FIH Junior World Cup by Tuesday this week, South Africa’s final victory added the ultimate finishing touch to a superb tournament, affirming their status as Africa’s finest.

South Africa faced a determined Namibian side that proved difficult to break down early on. However, once captain Caylin Maree opened the scoring in the 21st minute, South Africa took control of the match.

Click to Watch via YouTube – Tournament Final: Namibia vs South Africa

Ntsopa Mokoena continued her outstanding tournament with a brace, Maree added her second, and Jodie Blows put the finishing touches for a composed 5–0 victory to cap an unblemished continental victory campaign.

The South African team scored 34 goals in five matches, against a single goal conceded, late in the third chukka in Thursday’s Final dress-rehearsal, their final tally of 39 goals by virtue of the 5-goal penalty in the Forfeit Result against Uganda in their opening tie.

This triumph marks South Africa’s eighth consecutive Junior Africa Cup title, having won every edition since 1997.

South Africa will now prepare for the FIH Junior World Cup, where they will proudly represent Africa — arriving not just as participants, but as continental champions.

Click to Watch via YouTube – Final Group-Stage Tie: Namibia vs South Africa

The Junior Africa Cup served as the African qualifiers for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025, and after initially scheduled for November 2024, was postponed allowing teams more opportunity to participate.

The SA Women are competed as one of six African nations, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and Namibia, all aiming to be counted among the top three finishes in the tournament, in order to qualify for the FIH Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile, this December.

The tournament serves as the Africa qualifiers for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025, takes place in Namibia in April this year. The tournament initially scheduled for November 2024, was postponed allowing teams more opportunity to participate.

The SA Women are competing alongside six other African nations for the top three finishes in the tournament to qualify for the FIH Junior World Cup in Santiago, Chile, in December.

Africa’s World Cup Qualifiers Confirmed

South Africa
Namibia
Zimbabwe

South African Women Winners of Individual Awards

Caylin Maree – Top Goal Scorer
Ntsopa Mokoena – Player of the Tournament

Final Results of the Junior Hockey Africa Cup 2025

Friday 18 April 2025

1. South Africa 5–0 Uganda (Forfeit Result)
2. Zimbabwe 8–1 Zambia
3. Kenya 0–3 Namibia

Saturday 19 April 2025

4. South Africa 19–0 Zambia
5. Zimbabwe 0–6 Namibia
6. Uganda 0–0 Kenya

Sunday 20 April 2025 

– Rest Day –

Monday 21 April 2025 

7. Uganda 1–5 Zimbabwe
8. Kenya 0–4 South Africa
9. Namibia 11–1 Zambia

Tuesday 22 April 2025 

10. Zimbabwe 0–5 South Africa
11. Zambia 1–1 Kenya
12. Namibia 4–0 Uganda

Wednesday 23 April 2025 

– Rest Day –

Thursday 24 April 2025 

13. Zambia 1–2 Uganda
14. Kenya 1–4 Zimbabwe
15. South Africa 6–1 Namibia

Friday 25 April 2025 

16. Bronze Medal Match – Zimbabwe 6–1 Uganda
17. FINAL – South Africa 5–0 Namibia

SA U21 Women Junior Africa Cup Squad 2025

Amber Fairon
Ane Janse van Vuuren
Angele Vogel
Baylee Engelke
Caylin Maree (C)
Germarie Spershott
Ifeoma Ndubueze
Jenna Blaauw
Jodie Blows
Lilly-Anne Theron
Nomsa Mzizi
Ntsopa Mokoena
Paige Salis
Paris-Gail Isaacs
Reabetswe Phume
Richele Norval
Tara Pakendorf
Teshawn de la Rey


Original Copy: Hockey SA, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: The South African U21 Women’s team have completed a golden campaign at the Junior Africa Cup in Windhoek, ending the tournament unbeaten with a 5-nil win in the final against hosts Namibia to be crowned the Junior African Champions, at the Davin Trustco Hockey Stadium in Namibia on Saturday, 25 April, 2025. All Photos: Supplied

Photo 2 Caption: Having already secured qualification to the FIH Junior World Cup by Tuesday this week, South Africa’s final victory added the ultimate finishing touch to a superb tournament, affirming their status as Africa’s finest. 

GSsport ZA

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