Unam hockey brave at SA Games

THE University of Namibia (Unam) men’s hockey team ended seventh at the recently concluded South African University Games held in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

It was the first time ever for a foreign university to compete in this prestigious event. Unam played in Pool B against Rhodes University, Pretoria University, the University Limpopo: Turfloop and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The Namibians played six games in five days, scored 26 goals and conceded 12 goals in the process. Siyabonga Martins showed his local scoring form across the border when he netted eight goals in the tournament followed by Heinrich Swartbooi who scored five. The Namibian students won three matches and lost the other three narrowly to Rhodes University 4-3, Pretoria University 1-0 and to 5-4 to Free State University. In the opening match, Unam demolished The University Limpopo: Turfloop 10-2 with goals by Ronaldo Kapuire (1), Siyabonga Martins (4), Heinrich Swartbooi (2) Joseph Kashamako (1), Penda Nampala (1) and Isascar Tjikuniva (1). Unam’s second game was against the Cape Peninsula University of Technology from Cape Town, three first half goals by Ronaldo Kapuire, Penda Nampala and Isascar Tjikuniva caused the ‘Capies’ enough damage in the first half and UNAM’s defense was rock solid in the second half and handed the eight-time Namibia champs a three nil win. Unam’s third and fourth matches were played on Day 3 of the competition against Rhodes University and Pretoria University respectively. In the morning of July 1 at 10:30, Unam took on the Pool B top side Rhodes University from Grahamstown. It was a highly entertaining match between the two sides with attacking hockey and some brilliant skill. The scorboard read: Rhodes 4 and Unam 3. Unam played played the fourth and final pool match on Day 3 at 17h30. This was a very crucial match as the winner would play in the semi-final against the winner of Pool A. The Unam defence was solid during the game, while offensive play through Siyabonga, Heinrich, Joseph and Isascar Tjikuniva was a huge threat to Pretoria University or Tuks B side, as they are better known. Tuks however, found the break a minute before the break (29th minute) when Unam had two players in the sin bin. That was the only goal of the game which knocked the visiting Namibians out of the semi-finals. The fifth match was against the home team, Free State University B, also known as Kovsies. This was an extremely enjoyable match which saw nine (9) goals scored. Unam conceded an early goal in the second minute but replied immediately in the third minute through a goal by Ronaldo Kapuire. Kovsies took the command again in the 13th minute when they scored from a penalty corner and lead 2-1 at the break. The home team stretched their lead to 3-1 when they scored against the run of play in the 31st but Joseph Kashamako pulled one back for Unam in the 42nd to keep his team in contention. Two minutes later, Kovsies extended their lead to 4-2, when they scored a brilliant goal from a quick counter attack. Unam was not demoralised by the score line and with 13 minutes to go, captain Martin, converted a penalty stroke in the 47th minute.Seven minutes later Unam´s former captain, Joseph ‘Blaz’ Kashamako, who is also the former Blue Boys and African Stars defender, pulled the equaliser with six minutes to the end of the match. That leveled the score at four goals each. The home team however, converted a penalty corner with two minutes to go and won the match 5-4. The final match was against North Cape Urban FET College from Kimberley. Unam outplayed the team from the diamond mine and easily won 4-1, with goals by the best three goal scorers in Namibia, Siyaboga Martins (2), Heinrich Swartbooi) and Joseph Kashamako one each.