South Africa’s men’s hockey team began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 3–1 victory over Kenya in Ismailia, Egypt, on Sunday afternoon.
The opening day of action had seen the South Africans awarded a 5–0 walkover when Zambia failed to honour their fixture on Saturday, but Sunday’s clash against Kenya provided the first real test on the field for the defending champions.
There was added significance to the occasion as Cullin de Jager, Ryan Mann, Ayakha Mthalane and Niel Raath were all handed their senior international debuts in the green and gold.
After a cagey first quarter, the breakthrough came midway through the second period. Captain Dayaan Cassiem linked brilliantly with his brother Mustapha, who fired a pinpoint pass across goal for Keenan Horne to finish superbly on the reverse stick, a goal that showcased South Africa’s trademark attacking flair.
The lead was doubled shortly after through a penalty corner as Mustapha Cassiem took charge and rifled home a drag flick to make it 2–0 at the halftime break.
Kenya, to their credit, fought back in the third quarter and found a lifeline when Bethuel Masambu capitalised on a scrappy penalty corner, pulling one back despite South Africa’s control of possession and territory.
Any hopes of a Kenyan comeback were, however, quickly extinguished when Calvin Davis converted from another penalty corner with a low and hard finish to restore the two-goal cushion and seal a 3–1 win for the South Africans.
The defending champions will now turn their attention to a mouth-watering clash against hosts Egypt on Tuesday, a fixture that never fails to deliver intensity, passion, and plenty of drama.
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