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NAMIBIA became the inaugural Africa Hockey 5s champions after beating Zambia 2-1 in the final in Ismailia, Egypt, yesterday. 

Namibia earlier qualified for the Hockey 5s World Cup in 2024 after making the final, but yesterday added the African title for good measure. 

Goals by Jivanka Kruger and Kaela Schimming saw Namibia’s triumphant women adding another title to their collection after they won the African indoor title in April. 

In a close encounter yesterday, Zambia did the early attacking with Carol Nakombe, Martha Nankala and Martha Kalomo coming close on a few occasions, but Namibia’s defence managed to keep them at bay. 

Namibia started to create chances of their own and took the lead shortly before half-time when Schimming was fouled in the box and Kruger scored from the resultant penalty. 

Zambia kept up their attacks and Namibian keeper Petro Stoffberg pulled off a great save from a backstick shot by Kalomo, while Armin van Staden also cleared a shot off the line. 

Namibia regained the initiative at the start of the second half, winning a penalty after a foul in the box, but Tara Myburgh’s shot was well saved by the Zambian keeper Chengelo Chungu. 

Namibia maintained the pressure and increased their lead when Schimming latched onto a long through-ball and hit the back of the net with a fine shot. 

Zambia came back strongly in the final stages with Nakombe and Kalomo coming close, but Namibia’s defence held out as they went on to win the title. 

Namibia coach Erwin Handura was delighted with their victory. 

“We are quite happy that we won the gold medal and the trophy. We are now the number-one ranked team in Africa, and we are happy that we will also be representing Africa at the Hockey 5s World Cup in Oman in January 2024,” he said. 

“We want to thank our sponsors Namdia who were very helpful. They assisted the team to get here and they believed in us. 

“I also want to thank the Namibian government and the Namibia Sports Commission, our supporters, and everyone else who made a contribution, like the parents, the media and the players, but most of all I want to thank Jesus for the support,” he said.