The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe women’s hockey team are under no illusions of their chances at the Africa Nations Cup in Accra, Ghana.
However, the ladies have done their homework, prepared to the best of their abilities and vowed to give it the old college try.
That was the message from team manager Tracy Webb.
The continental showpiece begins tomorrow and will run until January 23, with both men’s and women’s competitions being held in Accra.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, looks to have put all their eggs in one basket and fielded a women’s team only.
However, the senior women’s side have been working together for some time; in fact, since the Tokyo Olympic Qualifiers that were held in South Africa in 2019.
It is this team chemistry that Webb and the technical department will be banking on when they take to the field for the competition tomorrow.
That, and the fact that confidence looks to be at an all-time high.
The goal now will be to qualify for the World Cup.
“I am a biased manager, but I think the ladies have an equal chance as all the teams present here in Ghana,” said Webb.
“They have put the effort in and deserve to be here.
“We have also done our homework and analysed all the teams here, so we are going to play to the best of our abilities.
“Hopefully, all these will give us an edge.
“We have high hopes of doing well in the tournament.
“The ladies have been training together for the past two years, all in the hope of getting to this tournament,” she said.
Webb is not even fazed by the numerous hurdles the ladies have faced to get to this point.
“The major hurdles that we have faced to get to this tournament have mostly been the uncertainty that we were faced with the lockdowns and postponements.
“However, all these things did not affect the ladies’ determination and attitude.
“They have pulled through with great spirits, and now their fitness levels are at their peak.
“We are prepared for this tournament.”
Zimbabwe will get their Pool B campaign underway with a clash against South Africa tomorrow.
They then take on Uganda the following day and conclude their games against Namibia on January 19.
Zimbabwe Team for Africa Cup of Nations
Georgia Allardice, Amy-Lee Levey, Mary Houghton (C), Belinda Marais, Jordyn Clipstone, Jenna Mathieson (GK), Tinodiwanashe Elijah, Farirai Negare, Nicolle Grant, Jenna Palmer, Simon Herbst, Lillian Pope, Natasha Hess, Alexei Terblanche, Iman Johnson, Natalie Terblanche, Kelly-Ann Kaulback, Michelle Williams.
