Each South Africa males and Namibia ladies got here into the match as defending champions, they go away it as champions once more. Successful the titles towards their African counterparts within the Nkosi Cup Finals.
Males’s Bronze Medal – Eire (2) 5-5 (0) New Zealand
Nicely, that was numerous enjoyable. An exciting finish to finish battle between the 2 match debutants was nothing in need of entertaining from begin to end. It was a recreation that noticed objectives scored in each quarter and finally a shootout to resolve the winner.
It was Eire who led on the half time break 3-1 due to a Ross Canning double and Greg Williams all executing penalty corners fantastically. Maks Wyndham-Smith pulled one again for New Zealand.
Early within the second half the groups traded strikes with Eire scoring by means of Oliver Kidd and a stroke for Benedict van Woerkom for New Zealand. Ross Canning transformed his hat-trick to make it 5-2 earlier than a triple from van Woerkom, the final proper on the finish despatched the sport to a shootout.
Canning and Williams scored within the shootout to wrap up a bronze medal for Eire.
Ladies’s Closing – Namibia 3-1 South Africa
The 2 groups proceed writing an unbelievable rivalry and this subsequent chapter was nothing in need of chic. It lacked the attacking brilliance of the boys’s bronze medal recreation however the tactical battle was chic.
Namibia took a primary half lead by means of Jivanka Kruger and it was a 1-0 lead on the half time break with Namibia irritating South Africa by means of their defensive patterns and providing menace on the counter assault.
South Africa had been rising in momentum within the third quarter but it surely was Kiana Cormack who would rating from a penalty nook to double the lead. The South Africans did discover a aim again and the gang was pumped. South Africa pulled their keeper in a seek for the equalizer and had a golden alternative however fired vast. Jivanka Kruger, participant of the match, would get a late counter attacking aim to win 3-1 and defend their Nkosi Cup crown.
Males’s Closing – Namibia 2-3 South Africa
South Africa had been led out by their most capped participant of all time, Justin Domleo, as that is his final recreation on South African soil earlier than hanging up his stick after the World Cup in Croatia.
The South Africans had the most effective possibilities within the first quarter however the self-discipline from the Namibians in protection was nothing in need of excellent. The hosts had been unable to transform their possibilities from penalty corners they usually had been made to pay when JP Britz fired dwelling a rocket of a penalty nook. South Africa continued to create however had been simply not clicking into gear towards their African counterparts. 1-0 on the half time break.
Early within the second half, South Africa produced a sensational counter with the Cassiem brothers combining but it surely was a case of inches on the improper aspect of the web. It was Mustapha Cassiem, after all, who scored his 99th worldwide aim to degree issues. He would make it a lead and grow to be the primary SA Males’s participant to achieve a century of objectives.
Fagan Hansen restored parity with a deflection off Domleo that left Cullin De Jager unsighted. The ultimate quarter awaited with the scores degree.
The ultimate quarter noticed possibilities at a premium and wanted a high-quality end from both aspect to seek out the aim but it surely was Mustapha Cassiem who confirmed why he is without doubt one of the finest on the planet creating and ending sensationally for his 17th profession hat-trick.
That might be that and the South Africans would seal the Nkosi Cup title for a second consecutive season.
Particular person Awards:
Males’s Goalkeeper of the Event – Richter van Rooyen (New Zealand)
Ladies’s Goalkeeper of the Event – Petro Stoffberg (Namibia)
Males’s Participant of the Event – Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa)
Ladies’s Participant of the Event – Kiana Cormack (Namibia)
