Tanzania in slow start at African qualifying event

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s women hockey team slumped to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Zambia in the opening match of the 2017 African Hockey Federation President’s Cup yesterday.

The Valentine Quaranta-coached side, cheered by a paltry crowd at the Twigas Club ground, looked determined to make a flying start in the five-day tournament, but the Zambians proved to be a hard nut to crack.

The girls will swing back into action on Saturday with a rematch against Zambia, whose experience separated the two sides.

The men’s team also had a date against Malawi at the same venue, but the match was still in progress by press time.

Speaking to The Citizen, men’s team player Deep Visram hailed the Tanzanian girls for a dogged performance, noting that they lost the match because of inexperience.

“We are disappointed that our sisters lost their opening match. They played very well and created a host of good chances, but they weren’t as clinical as the Zambians,” Visram said before they confronted Malawi.

“They fluffed many chances, but we are optimistic that they will regroup and show their mettle on Saturday. They have all it takes to bounce back and win the tournament.”

The champions will be declared on Sunday after playing three matches between themselves.

The tournament had attracted 11 countries ranked from position eight and below, but only three nations, including the hosts, managed to field their teams at the Arusha event.

Uganda, Botswana, Cote d’ Ivoire, Burundi, Morocco, Libya, Mali and Niger were earmarked for the tournament, but they could not confirm their participation due to different reasons.

The winner will qualify for the Africa Nations Hockey Cup where they will join the continent’s elite seven nations which are South Africa, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

The finals will be held in August.