By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The country will be represented by both the national women’s and national men’s teams in the Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers to be played in Harare, Zimbabwe from August 17 to 24, 2024.
Each team comprise of 16 players. The Eswatini teams will be playing under the Central-South Africa Qualifiers. There are 10 countries to be competing in the qualifiers with five each for the women’s and men’s categories.
Hockey is a game played on between two teams of 11 players who use long curved sticks to hit a small rubber disk, called a puck, and try to score goals. An average professional hockey game is usually 60 minutes long, divided into three 20-minute periods.
The five men’s teams are Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia and Eswatini while the women’s teams are the same as the men’s teams. The top two men’s teams and top three women’s teams would qualify from the Central-South Africa region to the Africa Cup of Nations to be played next year.
The squad was announced by the Eswatini Hockey Association (EHA) that congratulated the athletes who made it to the final Eswatini Hockey National Squads.
“Congratulations to both the women’s and men’s teams. They are gearing up to represent our proud nation at the Africa Nations Cup Qualifiers, taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe. The dedication, perseverance and spirit they’ve shown are a testament to our country’s sporting talent,” reads a statement.
The men’s team:
Coach: Tinavo Mushevi
Manager: Simphiwe Magagula
Goalkeeper: Celumusa Gift Msibi
Defenders: Graham Sparham, Wayne Sparham, Nathan Sloan Surtee, Jason Thandolwethu Quaynor, Michel David Melvin and Malachi Morgan Rudd.
Midfielders: Siyabulela Tinyiko Mapanzene, Khayalethu Gift Mlotsa, Mhlengi Malcom Junior Fakudze and Zinhle Maseko.
Forwards: Rory Thomson, Ozayo Mamba, Tristan Liam Rijkenberg, Dylan Kirk, Zwilakhe Ntokozo Nxumalo.
Women’s team:
Coach: Luckson Sikisa
Manager: Thabsile Surtee
Goalkeeper: Nina Hlophe
Defenders: Mvali Thwala, Laiken Henwood, Kayleigh Henwood, Leila Carmichael, Temnotfo Thwala, Sakhelwe Dlamini.
Midfielders: Amy Jessica Melvin, Siphowokuhle Sihlelelwe Dlamini, Tiffany Maphosa, Neliswa Charlin Ngcamphalala.
Forwards: Chloe Anne Royd, Taylor Jane Hulley, Lomave Sukulwenkhosi Dlamini, Wandziswa Siphiwo Mbingo.
