The conclusion of the Indoor Africa Cup 2024 saw Namibia emerge as the champions in the men’s division and South Africa securing victory in the women’s division. Consequently, both teams have secured berths in the upcoming FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Porec, Croatia from February 3-9, 2025. The runner-ups from the Indoor Africa Cup, namely South African men and Namibian women, have also earned their spots in the esteemed indoor hockey competition.
In the men’s category, four teams – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana – competed in a round-robin format, with each team playing against the other three once. After securing three wins in this stage, South Africa emerged as the leaders, followed by the host nation Namibia finishing in second place with comfortable wins over Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The top two finishers, South Africa and Namibia, progressed to the final, thus confirming their places in the FIH Men’s Indoor Hockey World Cup Croatia 2025. Following a tense round-robin encounter where South Africa narrowly triumphed over Namibia with a score of 5-4, the finals provided even more excitement. The intense match ended in a 3-3 draw, leading to a dramatic shoot-out, which ultimately saw Namibia clinching the title with a 4-3 win.
In the women’s division, South Africa and Namibia emerged as the top two teams after the round-robin stage, securing their qualification for the FIH Women’s Indoor Hockey World Cup Croatia 2025. Despite South Africa outperforming Namibia in the group stage, both teams drew in their head-to-head match, setting the stage for an exhilarating final.
During the final showdown, South Africa dominated the first half, securing a 3-0 lead. However, Namibia staged an impressive comeback in the second half, scoring three goals of their own and forcing the game into a shoot-out. In the end, South Africa emerged victorious, claiming the title of indoor hockey champions in Africa.
The accomplishments of both Namibia and South Africa at the Indoor Africa Cup have earned them well-deserved recognition and cemented their positions as formidable forces in the world of indoor hockey. As they prepare to represent their respective nations at the FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2025, it is evident that they will be formidable competitors, showcasing their talent and skill on the international stage.