Namibia qualify for Indoor Hockey World Cup 

Namibia’s men and women’s indoor hockey teams qualified for the 2025 Indoor World Cup after they both finished amongst the top two nations at the Africa Indoor Cup in Swakopmund over the weekend. 

With Botswana failing to arrive in time for the start of the tournament, they were disqualified, leaving South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe to battle it out for the top two places in the men and women’s competitions, which ensured qualification for next year’s world cup in Croatia. 

On the opening day on Thursday, Namibia’s men and women both got off to strong starts against Zimbabwe, with the men winning 12-1 and the women 12-0. 

In the men’s match, Fagan Hansen opened Namibia’s account from a short corner, but Zimbabwe managed to keep the deficit down to a single goal by the end of the first quarter. 

Namibia, however, turned up the tempo in the second quarter, as Cody van der Merwe added two goals in two minutes, and Owen Hatton, Liam Hermanus and JP Britz one each, before Forbes Thindwa opened Zimbabwe’s account to make the halftime score 6-1 to Namibia. 

Zimbabwe managed to keep Namibia at bay for most of the third quarter, with the only goal coming from Fagan Hansen, but Namibia’s constant pressure told as they scored five more goals in the final quarter to run out comfortable winners.

In total, the Hansen brothers Fagan and Dakota scored two goals each as well as Liam Hermanus and Cody van der Merwe, while the Britz brothers, JP and David, and Owen Hatton and Brynn Cleak scored one goal each. 

South Africa, meanwhile, got a 5-0 walkover win over Botswana.

In the women’s competition, Namibia were just as impressive as they thumped Zimbabwe 12-0 on Thursday. 

Two goals apiece by Azaylee Philander and Kiana Cormack put them 4-0 ahead by the first quarter, while Cormack completed her hattrick and Sunelle Ludwig added a field goal to put them 6-0 ahead by halftime.

Namibia stepped up the pressure after the break with Philander going on to score five goals in total, while Annica Higgs scored two and Jerrica Bartlett one to seal a commanding victory. 

South Africa’s women also got a 5-0 walkover win against Botswana, making their showdown against Namibia on Friday the main decider for the world cup. 

In a great match, Philander gave Namibia an early lead from a short corner but South Africa fought back and equalised through Bonolo Moabi early in the second quarter. 

Both sides had more chances, but the opposing keepers, Petro Stoffberg and Sarah Paget brought off some brilliant saves as they tied the match 1-1, to give both teams a ticket to the world cup. 

Namibia’s men, meanwhile, squared off against South Africa in another great encounter on Friday.

Jethro Eustice gave SA an early lead from a short corner, before Mustaphaa Cassiem took centre stage, with three goals as SA raced into a 4-0 lead by halftime. 

Cassiem scored his fourth shortly after halftime to put SA 5-0 ahead, but Namibia struck back with a great comeback in the final quarter. 

JP Britz opened their account from a short corner, while Fagan Hansen added two more and Cody van der Merwe one in a frantic final quarter, but SA held on to win the match 5-4. 

That booked SA’s ticket to the world cup, but Namibia joined them the next day when they were awarded a 5-0 walkover win against Botswana, and they will now also represent Africa in Croatia next year. 

South Africa, meanwhile, thumped Zimbabwe 12-0 in their final group match on Saturday. 

Zimbabwe managed to keep South Africa at bay during the first quarter, but Keegan Hezlett opened their account from a short corner early in the second quarter. 

Mustaphaa Cassiem then turned on the magic, scoring three goals in three minutes to put SA 4-0 ahead at the break and effectively seal the match. 

SA stepped up the tempo after the break, scoring five more goals in the third quarter to streak into a10-0 lead, before easing up in the final quarter 

Cassiem led the way with four goals, while Hezlett and Dal Langford scored two each, and Daysaan Cassiem, Hans Neethling, Idrees Abdulla and Jethro Eustice one goal each.